SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – As her son would have been preparing for prom and graduation this year, Tamika Alexander instead marks the second anniversary of his death, still searching for answers in his unsolved killing.
Tyler Johnson, 15, was shot and killed at a sleepover at the Westin Hotel in Southfield in February 2024.
Four other teenagers were present in the room when the shooting occurred, but none have provided police with information about what happened that night.
“My son would be turning 18 years old. He would be having a graduation this year, he would be going to prom,” said Alexander. “I don’t get none of that. I don’t get to do none of that. He was my only child.”
Police found two firearms on one of the teens present, with one weapon later confirmed to be the gun used in Johnson’s death. Despite this evidence, no arrests have been made.
Alexander said she learned police had identified the murder weapon months after the shooting.
“They finally said, ‘Oh yeah, Ms. Alexander, that was the murder weapon that killed your son,’” Alexander said. “So why wouldn’t they arrest right then?”
Southfield police Chief Elvin Barren explained the challenges facing investigators, noting that multiple teens had access to weapons that night.
“We were able to collect cellphone images through search warrants, and we found that four of the young men were in possession of handguns,” Barren said. “Part of our challenge is when the handgun was discharged, who was handling it at the time of discharge, and why was it discharged?”
When asked why the parents of the other teens involved aren’t facing charges, Barren said the parents have exercised their children’s right to legal counsel and declined to cooperate with investigators.
According to Barren, this legal protection extends into adulthood, meaning detectives can only interview teens if the teens initiate contact.
“After talking to the prosecuting attorneys, we were informed that the right to counsel that the parents put into place it does transfer into adulthood,” Barren said. ”Therefore, the only way a Southfield police detective can interview any of these young men is if they initiate contact with us either themselves or through their attorney.”
Barren also said gun residue testing is inadmissible in court in Michigan, since it doesn’t prove that the person accused of firing the gun actually committed the crime.
Barren said investigators also looked into charging the adult who booked the hotel room with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, but says it’s not illegal to rent a room for minors.
“We’ve collected physical evidence, we’ve collected circumstantial evidence, but eyewitness testimony is what brings all of those things together for prosecution,” Barren said.
“What they’re basically communicating to the public is that it’s a loophole in the system and we got children that can commit these heinous crimes and get away with it,” Alexander said. “Not only can they get away with it, as long as they keep counsel after the age of 18, they still won’t be charged.”
Alexander continues to call for more action in her son’s case.
“We need to sit down and have a meeting, the mayor, the chief, the prosecutor, let’s have a meeting,” Alexander said. ”Let’s figure out how you’re continuing to protect and serve when you know there’s a loophole in the system and you’re not doing anything about it.”