Attorney Increases Reward For Information Leading To Shooter Who Killed Teen
DETROIT (WWJ) -- A local attorney is increasing the reward for information leading to the gunman who killed a Grosse Pointe teen on Dec. 22, bringing the total amount of money offered to $10,000.
Thomas Guastello's addition of $5,000 brings the original $5,000 reward to the new figure. Detroit police are searching for the gunman who opened fire on a car of young people, which killed 17-year-old Paige Stalker -- a junior at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods -- and left three others in critical condition. Investigators believe the incident may have been a drug deal gone bad.
The Birmingham-based attorney and long-time Grosse Pointe resident wants to see the killer brought to justice.
"We think this was a tragic act and a senseless act, and something that is intolerable," Guastello said. "It was a couple of days before Christmas, they're young kids who were three blocks from their homes. And suddenly you have some maniac fire 30 shots into a car."
As many as 30 shots were fired into the vehicle, one fatally striking Stalker. Three others -- a 16-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl -- received gunshot wounds. A 15-year-old girl who was uninjured in the gunfire jumped into the driver's seat and drove her friends to a nearby hospital.
Police are searching for the gunman, described as a black male about 6-feet tall, wearing a bulletproof vest and army fatigues. Authorities say at least one of the teens had been smoking marijuana inside the car before the shooting.
"I can tell you we do not believe this was a random attack," Police Chief James Craig told reporters. "We're still working very hard to find out what took place. Candidly, there's some challenge for us in terms of the accounts of what's taken place. So, we're asking for full cooperation."
Guastello believes that providing an incentive for information will help police with the investigation. Guastello said that having safe streets is a main component to having a high quality of life.
"It's nice to have a safe core city and city center, but you also have to have safe streets throughout the community," Guastello said. "We have a new mayor now in Detroit -- I think he will be very responsive."
MORE: Teen Killed, 3 Others Critically Injured In Detroit Shooting; 'This Was Not A Random Attack'
