Zachary Scott Bradburn

Zachary Scott Bradburn, a 24-year-old White man from Flint, Michigan, was a devoted father and fiancé whose life was filled with love for his family and many friends. Born on May 13, 1990, Zachary was known for his engaging personality and was cherished by those who knew him. His loved ones remembered him with deep sorrow after his life was cut short, lamenting that he was gone too soon and would be profoundly missed. His death left a void in the lives of his young son, his fiancée, and a wide circle of family and friends who treasured him.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 20, 2014, Zachary was at the Dawg House bar on Fenton Road in Flint. As the night was drawing to a close around 2:20 a.m., a violent altercation erupted inside the establishment. The dispute escalated, and gunshots were fired. During the chaos, Zachary was struck by a bullet. He was rushed to Hurley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The shooting was one of three separate violent incidents in Flint that weekend that left two people dead and a 15-year-old girl in critical condition, shaking the community.

The Flint Police Department launched a homicide investigation and appealed to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest, with a cash reward offered for tips. Their investigation quickly focused on two persons of interest. In early August 2014, police arrested two cousins in connection with the fatal shooting: 19-year-old Samuel Joel Burch and 24-year-old Reco Burch. The arrests marked a significant step forward in the quest for justice for Zachary and his grieving family.

The case proceeded through the Genesee County court system, revealing conflicting witness testimonies about the events that transpired in the bar's bathroom where the shooting occurred. Reco Burch, who was initially charged with first-degree murder, accepted a plea agreement from prosecutors. He pleaded nolo contendere, or no contest, to the lesser charges of manslaughter and accessory after the fact. A key part of his plea deal was his agreement to testify against his cousin, Samuel.

In March 2016, Samuel Burch stood trial for the murder of Zachary Bradburn. The prosecution's case, bolstered by Reco's testimony, argued that Samuel was the one who fired the fatal shot. The defense offered conflicting theories based on the varied witness accounts. After hearing the evidence, the jury found Samuel Burch guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Following his conviction, Samuel Burch was sentenced to a mandatory life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder charge. The court handed down additional concurrent sentences of 76 months to 15 years for the felon-in-possession and concealed weapon convictions. These sentences were to be served after he completed a mandatory two-year term for the felony-firearm conviction. An appeal of his conviction was filed, but it was ultimately denied by the Michigan Court of Appeals in December 2017, cementing the verdict.

The convictions of Samuel and Reco Burch brought a legal conclusion to the violent death of Zachary Bradburn. While the court proceedings provided a measure of justice, it did little to ease the pain for the family and friends who lost a beloved young father and friend. They are left with the memories of a man who was taken from them far too early, a life ended in a senseless act of violence inside a neighborhood bar.