Naman Shrestha
The episode titled ‘I’m Not Moving’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Fear Thy Neighbor’ delves deep into the sudden and tragic demise of Marc Davidson in Detroit, Michigan, in April 2019. The death of the mechanic and father of two sent shockwaves across the entire community as the detectives uncovered a years-long feud that led to the tragedy. The documentary features exclusive, insightful interviews with Marc’s neighbors and officials involved in the investigation.
Marc Davidson Was Pronounced Dead Within an Hour of Finding Him Wounded
Marc Davidson was a single father of two sons, Craig and Martin, residing in Detroit, Michigan. To support his sons, he worked as a mechanic at a nearby auto body shop. His neighbors described him as a doting father who didn’t shy away from helping others. When they had some car trouble or any mechanical issue, Marc would lend them a helping hand without asking anything in return. Unfortunately, the model neighbor didn’t live long enough to see his sons succeed in life, as fate intervened.
On the evening of April 15, 2019, the police received calls from Marc’s neighbor, reporting a shooting incident. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found Marc in a critical condition, with seven gunshot wounds. Since he was still alive, he was rushed to the hospital. However, about 45 minutes later, he was pronounced dead as he succumbed to the gunshot wounds. Thus, a homicide investigation was immediately launched to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Marc Davidson Was in the Middle of a Heated Feud With the Shooter For Several Months
Marc Davidson’s feud with his neighbors, the Montgomeries, proved deadly for him. When Charles “Chaz” Montgomery, his girlfriend Kerry, and their daughters, Linda and Anna, first arrived in the neighborhood, Marc and his sons formed an amicable, respectful bond with them. While Chaz was an insurance agent, he was also an aspiring musician who had already worked with various famous and established rappers, according to the show. So, in the summer of 2016, when he got the chance to pursue his dreams in Los Angeles, California, he left behind his girlfriend and his daughters, who supported him in his endeavors. Soon, Kerry took their daughters and stayed with her mother, checking up on the house every once in a while.
A while later, Marc received a blow when the auto body shop where he worked shut down, leaving him without a job. Being a single father, he grew desperate, and when he noticed that his next-door neighbors had seemingly abandoned their house, he decided to make the most of it. Without informing the Montgomeries, Marc revived his auto body shop, believing that the family would not return anytime soon. However, a few months later, Charles returned to Detroit and intended to continue staying at his house and spend time with his family. He was shocked to see his home turned upside down by Marc, whom he confronted. Charles demanded that he clear out the property within a week’s time.
Marc Davidson’s Shooter Claimed Self-Defense After the Crime
As per the show, Marc took his time and cleared out the front of the property after a few weeks, leaving the vacant lot and backyard still littered with wooden pallets and other things. As the Montgomeries returned to their house, Marc’s two dogs hounded them whenever they got the chance. In the following weeks, Marc also reportedly offered Charles about $5,000 to purchase his residence, but he declined the offer. When the Montgomeries called an internet repairman to fix their cables for them, Marc’s dogs chased the internet repairman, after which Charles called 911 and accused Marc of intentionally setting his dogs to chase the internet repairman. Marc insisted that it wasn’t intentional, but was told to clear the junk in Charles’ backyard. Charles alleged that Marc ran an illegal chop shop where he dismantled stolen cars and sold parts on the black market.
One day, as per Charles’ account, he was attacked by Marc while he was on the phone with a client. As per his allegations, Marc choked him and physically assaulted him, after which he filed a report at the police station. In 2019, the Montgomeries decided to move out and put their house up for sale. Charles initially sent Kerry and their kids to her mother’s place, while he took care of the property until the sale. At the time, Charles began carrying a handgun at all times, allegedly for self-defense. On the fateful evening of April 15, 2019, Marc and Charles got into a heated argument over some garbage on the latter’s driveway. That’s when Charles shot Marc multiple times in self-defense. The police arrested Charles on site and charged him with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Charles “Chaz” Montgomery Was Not Convicted and Has Been Leading a Free, Private Life
Four months later, Charles “Chaz” Montgomery stood trial for the murder of his next-door neighbor, Marc Davidson. During the trial, while the prosecution presented evidence against the defendant, highlighting the feud between the two men, the defense called several eyewitnesses to the stand who supported Charles’ claim of self-defense. Ultimately, the jury deliberated for less than a day before finding Charles not guilty of the charges against him. Since then, Charles has stepped away from the limelight and seemingly been leading a life surrounded by his family.
