Shawn Andy Maxwell, 41, was fatally shot at his family’s cabin in Vassar Township, Michigan, on the night of March 1, 2023. Maxwell had allowed a man identified as Jeffery Stephen Evans, also 41, who was experiencing homelessness, to stay at the cottage. An argument inside the small home escalated and Evans is said to have opened fire, killing Maxwell. Maxwell’s cat was also killed; the animal’s death was later charged as third-degree killing or torturing an animal.

Maxwell’s brother found both the man and the pet slain when he checked on the cabin after being unable to reach Shawn. Michigan State Police named Jeffery Stephen Evans a person of interest; a public alert preceded Evans being located and taken into custody by Vassar Police on the evening of March 2. On March 6, 2023, Evans was arraigned in Tuscola County on nine felony counts, including an open murder charge, multiple firearm-related counts, two counts of assaulting or resisting police, carrying a concealed weapon, and the animal cruelty-related charge. He was held on $5 million bond and a preliminary examination was set later that month.

Are there details about Maxwell’s life in Vassar or about the events that night that anyone can add to help clarify what happened?