DETROIT — Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard is urging legislators and judges to rethink laws and policies that let some violent offenders out of prison on parole after authorities said a man with a lengthy history of convictions went on a crime spree Christmas Eve that left one woman dead.

Malik Webb had just been released from prison on July 1 after serving a six-year sentence for various weapons-related charges in Genesee County in 2018 when he allegedly went on a crime spree on Christmas Eve in Oxford Township. He's accused of killing 71-year-old Barbara Wolf of Oxford Township, who had stopped to help him after his car went in a ditch, and injuring Wolf's daughter and one other person.

"We need accountability in a criminal justice system that … has run off the rails," Bouchard told media during a press conference Monday afternoon.

Michigan Department of Corrections records show Webb's previous convictions included possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon, carrying concealed weapons, and possessing firearms while committing or attempting to commit another crime.

Webb, 29, had been charged with weapon offenses seven times in just over nine years, Bouchard said, including a charge for weapon possession while he was behind bars.

"And yet, they chose to parole him," Bouchard said. "Had they not made that choice to let him out, he wouldn't be in a position to shoot people on Christmas Eve."

Bouchard said Wolf's killing reminds him of Leslie Allen Williams, who raped and killed four teens in Oakland and Genesee counties in 1991 and 1992 after being released from prison early on parole, having served eight years for crimes like criminal sexual conduct and assault with weapons.

Bouchard, then a Michigan legislator with 13 years of policing experience, worked to revamp the system to keep violent offenders behind bars, he told reporters on Monday.

Since then, he said, the Legislature has undone some of the things he worked to accomplish and is considering additional steps that would put violent criminals on the streets.

Specifically, he said lawmakers should avoid limiting judges from setting high bonds, and judges shouldn't need to consider prison occupancy rates when weighing prisoner release.

"Everybody wants accountability of police and we expect that and understand it and believe in it … but what about the rest of the system?" he said.

Authorities say Webb's melee began at 6:21 p.m. on Dec. 24 when Webb struck a pole twice at a Park and Ride lot near the corner of M-24 and Oakwood. Authorities believe he was returning to his home in Genesee County after attending a Christmas party in Rochester.

Prosecutors say a 28-year-old female and a 54-year-old female asked the defendant if he was OK. Webb responded by screaming an obscenity and pointing a handgun at them, Bouchard said. He then left the area, driving south on Lapeer Road.

At 6:30 p.m., the sheriff's office received a report that a car had crashed into a ditch on Ray Road, near Oxford Road, about three miles from the parking lot.

Wolf and her daughter stopped to check on the driver when Webb allegedly ran up to the driver's side of their vehicle and tried to get inside. Wolf attempted to drive away when Webb allegedly started firing into the the vehicle, striking both women and ultimately killing Wolf.

Asked about the daughter's condition as of Monday, Bouchard said she "has a significant healing road ahead and still is in very tough shape."

Also victimized in the incident was a 39-year-old woman who was driving down the road when she saw the car in a ditch and turned around to offer help. But when she stopped, Webb allegedly pointed his gun at her head and demanded the keys to her vehicle and also told her to get in the vehicle with him. She ran away as Webb tried to drive off with her vehicle but failed to get it started, authorities said. Webb abandoned the car at the scene.

A 56-year-old male and his 54-year-old wife traveling down the road in a truck saw the two vehicles in the ditch and roadway. Prosecutors said the driver slowed to see if anyone needed help when Webb walked up to the truck and said that people were hurt and needed help.

He then climbed onto the truck’s driver’s side running board, stating that he was lost and needed help getting somewhere, prosecutors said. Webb allegedly pointed a gun at the driver and began trying to open the rear door of the vehicle. Bouchard said the driver was shot in the arm while trying to protect his wife. Even after suffering a gunshot wound, he was able to get away after prying Webb from the truck.

"Everyone in this whole case that became victims, all were checking on our suspect, which makes it even more ironic, and terrible, given that it was Christmas Eve," Bouchard said.

By 6:34, deputies had arrived at the scene of the shootings and had placed Webb under arrest.

It was "a very short timeline for very devastating consequences," Bouchard said. He noted that investigators found more than 30 shell casings from a 9-millimeter handgun.

Webb faces one count of felony murder, with carjacking as the underlying felony, which carries a mandatory life prison sentence; three counts of assault with intent to murder; three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; carjacking; and other charges.

He's scheduled to appear in court next on Jan. 6.

"I don't believe he, if convicted, should see the light of day," Bouchard said.

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