DETROIT – A 20-year-old man is dead and his 9-year-old cousin is hospitalized following a shooting on Wednesday night on Burgess Street on Detroit’s west side.
Detroit police say the suspect is still at large, but authorities have a solid lead and do not believe there is any ongoing danger to the public.
The 9-year-old boy, identified as Jacquise, was shot multiple times in the stomach and leg and is currently fighting for his life. Police have confirmed the two victims were cousins, though they have not released additional information about them at this time.
Residents in the area say they are still searching for answers.
“Why was a 9-year-old out here. There’s nothing on the block for a 9-year-old to be doing,” said Darius Hardrick, who lives down the street.
Burgess Street is largely boarded up, with just a few homes still standing. When shots rang out, the typically empty block quickly filled with the sounds of sirens. Neighbor Michael Williams said the shooting hit close to home.
“I don’t want to see this happen in any neighborhood -- this is an atrocity,” Williams said.
Police say there was no 911 call. Instead, authorities learned about the shooting through multiple ShotSpotter alerts. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison says the investigation is fully resourced, with federal agents assisting local officers.
“Understand this, I have my federal agents working with me as well, so it’s all hands on deck -- don’t just think it’s the DPD -- we are going to bring this suspect into custody,” Bettison said.
Bettison says he has a good idea about a possible motive but cannot discuss details while the investigation is ongoing. The suspect remains at large.
For many residents, the tragedy is both heartbreaking and a call to action.
“The city of Detroit, the people of Detroit, we all need to come together and do better,” Hardrick said.
Police are working closely with the victims’ families. This is a developing story.