Girl, 17, shot at Detroit Noel Night an innocent bystander, mother says

Officials continue search for shooter

DETROIT – The mother of a teen shot during Noel Night in Midtown is speaking out. 

Initially police believed the girl got into some sort of argument that led to a shooting, but the girl's mother said that is simply not the case and that her daughter is an innocent victim. 

Four people were shot on John R Street near Farnsworth Saturday evening, which caused the festivities to be abruptly canceled.

The victim’s mother says her 17-year-old daughter had just finished performing in a recital, something she’s done for Noel Night every year for nine years. 

This year, they wanted to walk around midtown. They were here near Michigan Science Center and the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum when bullets started flying.

"As we were turning the other way, we heard some gunshots, and as we were running she said, 'Mom, I think I’ve been shot,'" the girl's mother said.

As officers stormed the DIA looking for a shooter, families ran for cover.

"I stopped them and told them she had been shot and they took her right to receiving," the girl's mother said. 

The 17-year-old girl was shot in the leg.

"I was in shock," the girl's mother said. "I couldn’t believe it, because we were nowhere near the shooting."

The victim’s mother said just before the incident she saw a group of young people unsupervised and could sense something was about to happen. 

"It looked like a fight was about to break out," she said.

She didn’t wait for a dispute, but it didn’t matter. Her daughter was shot in the melee.

"I saw a lot of kids and no parents," she said. "I don’t know if they know where their kids are at. They really need to get on top of it."

Detroit police said three other teens, also believed to be innocent bystanders, were shot. 

While all four victims are expected to make a full recovery, the trauma is difficult to overcome. 

"I don’t want her to be fearful," the girl's mother said. "I tell her she was blessed it was just her leg. You don’t know really know what to say."

Police said they are still looking for the gunman, but they only have a vague description.

Anyone with information is asked to call police. 


About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism