$2,500 Reward Offered After Deadly Weekend Of 'Urban Terrorism' In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - Officials are hoping a $2,500 reward will be enough to make someone speak up about multiple shootings in Detroit last weekend that left two dead and 13 people injured.
In the first of the three incidents, hundreds of people were gathered Saturday, near Webb Street and Dexter Avenue, for a cookout and playing basketball when shots rang out, leaving 19-year-old Malik Jones dead. Four women and seven men, ranging in age from 19-47, were also injured.
Jones is believed to be the target of two gunmen who fired into the crowd. Jones had been shot and wounded recently and Saturday's exchange of gunfire was believed to be retaliatory, investigators said. Police Chief James Craig referred to the shooting as an act of "urban terrorism."
The other two incidents occurred in Greektown -- considered one of the safest areas of the city -- on Saturday night and again and Sunday night, although police believe the shootings are unrelated.
The first shooting took place near Monroe and Beaubien around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. According to police, an 18-year-old woman was walking through Greektown when she saw people running. She began running, then heard gunshots and felt a pain before realizing she was hit. She was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The second shooting left a 19-year-old dead and another young man injured. Two guns were found near the victim's body, leading investigators to believe a fight may have led to that shooting.
[Police Chief: 2 Dozen Shootings Over The Weekend In Detroit]
John Broad, President of Crime Stoppers of Michigan, said many people were in the areas of the shootings and someone had to have seen something.
"A bystander is anyone who sees a crime or situation that could cause harm to someone else. An active bystander is someone who does something about it," Broad said in a statement. "We are asking those who know anything about that night to be active, stay anonymous and to speak up. Even the smallest detail could lead police to the shooter."
To submit a tip to Crime Stoppers anonymously, call 1-800-SPEAK-UP, visit www.1800speakup.org, or text CSM and your tip information to 274637 (CRIMES).
