DETROIT – As Detroit police, city leaders, and community advocates work to tackle the summer surge in gun violence, one grieving grandmother is stepping up in a deeply personal way.
“I can’t bring my grandchild back,” said Monica Murry. “But maybe I can stop someone else’s child from getting murdered by doing this.”
Murry’s 18-year-old granddaughter, Keon’Ne Tremble, was shot and killed last summer on Albion Street on Detroit’s east side. Four others were injured in the same incident. No one has been charged with her death yet.
“She wanted to go to college. Eventually get married and have kids,” Murry said. “She’ll never be able to do that.”
Murry said her granddaughter decided to go to a block party, and within five minutes, shots rang out.
“She died in one of my daughter’s arms, my other daughter performed CPR, and my granddaughter and my son just watched,” Murry said.
Now, Murry is rallying others to take a stand. City leaders, too, are stepping up.
Detroit police Chief Todd Bettison said enforcement will be ramped up.
“What we’re gonna do is concentrate on the curfew and hold individuals accountable,” Bettison said.
Mayor Mike Duggan recently asked for an increase in fines for parents as well.
“Generations of Detroiters were raised in this town to be told when the street lights came on, you came home,” Duggan said earlier this week.
The urgency is real.
In just the last two weeks, a stray bullet struck a two-year-old boy watching fireworks.
Samir Grubbs, 4, was shot and killed while playing at a park. Another teen was killed trying to protect a younger child.
“These streets are not safe for our children right now,” said Rev. W.J. Rideout III of Defenders of Truth and Justice. He said while the fines and curfew are helpful, it’s up to parents and guardians to make sure these children and teens do not have access to guns in the first place.
According to the FBI, July was the deadliest month for homicides in Michigan for three years straight — 2021, 2022, and 2023. Detroit data follows that same trend.
“We need to do something and we need to do it fast,” Murry said.
That’s why this Sunday, she’s inviting the community to join her in a Jeep ride through the city — a mobile, peaceful protest against gun violence and a tribute to her granddaughter.
“We’re taking it to the streets,” Murry said.
The stop the violence ride will be Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 3 p.m. Detroit’s meet-up spot is the Burger King parking lot at Gratiot Avenue and 8 Mile Road. Pull up at 2 p.m., roll out at 3 p.m.
For those without a Jeep, Murry said just wear orange and show up in whatever ride you have — everyone is welcome. She’s also collecting donations for care packages she puts together for other victims of violence.