DETROIT – Detroit police Assistant Chief F.D. Hayes gave an update on the triple homicide on the city’s west side that left three young people dead and multiple families grappling with unanswered questions.
Hayes told Local 4 on Tuesday (April 21) that the triple homicide that occurred at a Detroit gas station stemmed from an illegal street racing incident that escalated into a confrontation involving firearms.
The shooting, which left three young people dead, began with a drag racing meetup that officers attempted to break up, per Hayes.
“Truly a tragic incident where three young lives were lost,” Hayes said. “This started from an illegal drag racing incident.”
According to Hayes, the three individuals who were killed were inside a vehicle that fled after police arrived at the gathering.
During the incident, their vehicle was involved in a crash with another car, which they then pursued onto local freeways.
“At one point, one of the occupants pointed an AK-style pistol out of the window,” Hayes said.
Haynes said the situation continued onto city streets before ending at a Green Light gas station on West 7 Mile Road, where the vehicles stopped face-to-face.
The occupants of the pursuing vehicle exited, opened a door, and began assaulting the other occupants, according to Hayes.
At that point, the other driver, identified by police as a licensed concealed pistol holder, fired shots, killing three people.
“As we understand the tragedy of that, three individuals did not make it home that night,” Hayes said.
Police said the incident was not a random act of violence but the culmination of a targeted encounter that began earlier at an illegal drag racing meetup.
“This was not a fight at a gas station,” Hayes said. “This was an individual being pursued, chased on the freeway at gunpoint, and it culminated at that location.”
Hayes said investigators have submitted their findings to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and could not provide full details while the case is under review.
However, Hayes said the video circulating on social media aligns with the department’s investigation, showing that the individuals who were killed had been pursuing another vehicle and were inside a vehicle that displayed a firearm during the incident.
“Our victims were the ones pursuing,” Hayes said. “They were in the vehicle that brandished a firearm on the freeway and then pulled nose-to-nose with the individual who fired the shots.”
Police said the confrontation escalated at a gas station, where the armed encounter ended with the driver of the other vehicle firing shots, fatally striking the three individuals.
Three firearms were recovered following the fatal shooting, and the weapon used by the shooter was legally registered, Hayes said.
Hayes said the individual who fired the fatal shots is a licensed concealed pistol holder and legally possessed the firearm.
“Three firearms were recovered that night,” Hayes said. “The individual that fired the fatal shots is a CPL holder, and his firearm was registered to him.”
Hayes said he could not confirm the ownership status of the other two firearms recovered at the scene.
The case has been forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review as the investigation continues.
The individual who fired the fatal shots remained at the scene, surrendered the weapon, and was taken into custody, police said.
Hayes said the shooter did not flee after the incident and cooperated with officers.
“The individual that fired the shots remained at the scene, surrendered the firearm, and was taken into police custody at that time,” Hayes said.
Authorities have not announced any charges as the case has been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
No charging decision has been made in connection with the triple fatal shooting as prosecutors continue reviewing the case, police said.
Hayes said the Detroit Police Department has submitted its investigative report to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and is awaiting a determination.
“That I’m aware of, a charging decision has not come back,” Hayes said.
Police said the incident stemmed from an illegal street-racing meetup that officers tried to break up.
Participants fled the scene, leading to the events that ultimately ended in the fatal shooting.
Hayes urged the public to avoid such gatherings, warning of the risks associated with illegal drag racing events.
“If you’re not out here at these events, this is one less issue you’d have to worry about,” Hayes said. “Please don’t go. Please don’t participate.”
He also emphasized that violence is not an acceptable way to resolve disputes.
“Using firearms, violence is never the answer,” Hayes said. “That is not how we solve problems here in the city of Detroit.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Detroit police Assistant Chief F.D. Hayes gives update on triple homicide