DETROIT
(WXYZ) - When 56-year-old Howard Gardella Sr. answered his front door
Monday around noon, he likely thought the men standing on his porch were
customers, but the two apparent strangers were there to rob Gardella
who sells "medical marijuana" with his son, Howard Gardella Jr.
Once the two men were inside Gardella's home on Northrop Street near Grand River, they shot at the father and the son.
A bullet only grazed the father in his neck, but Howard Gardella Jr. was fatally shot.
Relatives say Gardella Jr. lived in Redford with his 2-year-old son.
During their investigation, Detroit Police seized dozens of large marijuana plants from Gardella's garage and home.
Relatives tell 7 Action News that Gardella and his son worked together in the medical marijuana business that operated out of the father's home.
Loved ones say they were becoming increasingly concerned about the father and son's safety after someone recently asked the men if they had guns. They say more than just regular "medical marijuana patients" seemed to be stopping by the house.
Late Monday afternoon, Howard Gardella Sr. was released from the hospital. He returned to his home on Detroit's west side visibly upset, yelling that police had no right to seize his marijuana plants. He went on to say that the killers took his son's life so that they could steal about $400 in marijuana plants.
Detroit Police continue to search for the killers.
Once the two men were inside Gardella's home on Northrop Street near Grand River, they shot at the father and the son.
A bullet only grazed the father in his neck, but Howard Gardella Jr. was fatally shot.
Relatives say Gardella Jr. lived in Redford with his 2-year-old son.
During their investigation, Detroit Police seized dozens of large marijuana plants from Gardella's garage and home.
Relatives tell 7 Action News that Gardella and his son worked together in the medical marijuana business that operated out of the father's home.
Loved ones say they were becoming increasingly concerned about the father and son's safety after someone recently asked the men if they had guns. They say more than just regular "medical marijuana patients" seemed to be stopping by the house.
Late Monday afternoon, Howard Gardella Sr. was released from the hospital. He returned to his home on Detroit's west side visibly upset, yelling that police had no right to seize his marijuana plants. He went on to say that the killers took his son's life so that they could steal about $400 in marijuana plants.
Detroit Police continue to search for the killers.
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2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
