Road Rage Shooting: Victim's Family Statement

FAMILY OF DEREK FLEMMING RELEASES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO CHARGES AGAINST SHOOTER

The following was provided in a media release to WWJ Newsradio 950:

A statement from Attorney William (Bill) Moore:

Yesterday is the first day towards justice in the senseless murder of Derek Flemming. I applaud and thank the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and Livingston County Prosecutor's Office in doing an excellent and thorough investigation. They have been nothing short of amazing and I have confidence they will continue to be.

The charges brought yesterday were proper and just. It is my hope that a jury now does their job in putting Mr. Zale behind bars for the rest of his life. Based on the evidence, it is clear Mr. Zale was not in any fear, nor could he have reasonably believed he was in danger. Derek did not touch Mr. Zale, nor did he threaten to harm him. Mr. Zale had a choice that day to keep his window rolled up or drive away. He instead chose to take his road rage out on Derek Flemming by murdering him in the middle of a busy road in broad daylight. The majority of legal gun owners out there are responsible, but Mr. Zale is clearly not one of them. Engaging in an argument or a dispute with another person is never an excuse to murder them. There is simply no justification for his actions.

Mrs. Flemming, her children, and the rest of his family would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers. They are still in the shock and grieving stages so they continue to ask that their privacy be respected. I would ask people think of the two Flemming children during this time. The family did not have any life insurance on Derek and Amy Flemming was a stay-at-home mother.

The donations we have received so far will be able to cover the funeral costs and help the family survive. I would like to continue to raise money to provide the family with some stability. More importantly, I would like to raise money for the children's college education one day. If anyone would like to donate, they may do so online at gofundme.com/dzt828, or they can send a check made out to the "Derek Flemming Family Memorial Fund" at PO Box 1107, Brighton, Michigan, 48116.

Finally, Amy has asked me to release the following statement on her behalf:

"My heart is forever broken and it will never be fixed. Yesterday we celebrated our daughter's 6th birthday. At the same time we are planning Derek's funeral. I can't believe my children will have to grow up without their father. He won't be around to play catch with our son or walk our daughter down the aisle one day. Mr. Zale stole those moments from our family.

Derek was an incredible husband and an even better father. He loved his family so much. He would send me text messages almost on a daily basis telling me how much he loved me. He told our kids every day that they were his best friends.

I believe he was only trying to protect me that day when he got out of the car to ask Mr. Zale what his problem was and to not put other drivers in danger. I wish I could go back. I would have kept him in the car. Regardless, Derek didn't deserve to die like that.

I want to say thank you to the sheriff's department and prosecutor's office for holding Mr. Zale accountable.

I beg the prosecutor to make sure Mr. Zale stays in jail. I also know Mr. Zale's actions have affected his family and my heart breaks for them. He forever destroyed two families that day with his actions. Finally, through this nightmare, I have seen the good in people. The outpouring of support from our family, the community, and complete strangers has been remarkable. Please continue to think of us and pray for our family going forward. Thank you."