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$12K Reward Offered For Tips In Sailor's Murder

DETROIT (WWJ) - Crime Stoppers and the family of a murdered U.S. Navy sailor are asking for the public's help in finding the man who gunned him down in early January.

A $12,500 reward is now being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for the murder of 24-year-old Terrence Hill, Jr., a Naval officer home on leave in early January.

Petty Officer Hill was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle with his girlfriend, outside his girlfriend's home on Manor St. near 7 Mile Rd. on Detroit's west side.

"Two men approached the vehicle demanding money and anything of value. Mr. Hill resisted and a fight broke out. Mr. Hill was fatally shot in the chest," said Crime Stoppers of Michigan President John Broad.

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Suspect sketch (credit: Crime Stoppers)

Hill's mother, Julia Spencer, said her son had only been home a few hours on Jan. 3 when he told her he was going out that night. That was the last time she saw him alive.

She said her son loved life and was focused on his future.

"He was a Gunners Mate, Second Class E-5. He was working toward his goal to become an E-6. He wanted to be a military policeman, and someone took his dreams from him," she told reporters Wednesday, through tears.

Hill graduated from the Detroit School of Arts in 2006 and served as a naval artillery instructor Waukegan, Illinois.

The suspect is a black male in his 20s, with a dark complexion, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a small build. He was wearing a black skull-cap with a white line on it. The second suspect was dressed in all white.

Anyone who has information regarding this crime is asked to call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or 1-800-773-2587. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. You can also text your tip to CRIMES (274637).

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Julia Spencer and Crimestoppers President John Broad (credit: WWJ/Pat Sweeting)
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