Argument at Detroit funeral escalates to shooting; police quickly respond

DETROIT – Fast action by Detroit police stopped a shooting outside a funeral on the city’s west side Friday evening.

The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. outside Greater Love Tabernacle Church on Plymouth Road, where a funeral had been held for a man who died in a car crash.

Detroit police Chief Todd Bettison said officers were stationed across the street at a funeral home, providing special attention to a visitation that had received threats of possible violence, when they saw an argument break out in front of the church.

According to police, a person pulled a gun and fired into a crowd outside the church, hitting four people. Officers across the street immediately responded and shot the suspect.

Bettison said all five people who were shot, the four victims and the suspect, were hit in the lower body.

“We expect all to survive,” Bettison said.

A statement from Mary Sheffield’s office said all those shot were in their 20s.

Ralph, a man who lives not far from the shooting, said he was in the gas station next to the church when everything happened.

He said the violence has made even solemn gatherings feel unsafe.

“It’s getting real bad out here now,” said Ralph. “You can’t even go to send your loved ones off because you might end up getting shot doing that.”

Bettison urged residents to contact their local precinct if they anticipate trouble at funerals, repasses or other gatherings, saying police can assign details to help prevent violence before it starts.

Today, multiple people were shot while attending a funeral on Detroit’s west side. The victims, all in their 20s, were gathered to mourn a young man who had died in a car accident. My thoughts are with them, their families, and everyone affected. I am grateful that all of the victims are expected to survive.

A Detroit Police officer was nearby, assigned to a location across the street, when an altercation broke out and gunfire erupted into the crowd. The officer moved toward the scene and returned fire, stopping the threat. A suspect is in custody.

This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information should contact Detroit Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

I want to thank the Detroit Police Department for the officer’s quick and courageous action, which prevented further harm. This was an act of senseless violence, and it has no place in our city.

Mary Sheffield, Mayor of Detroit, Michigan