Mother of man wanted in connection to deadly Detroit shooting: Turn yourself in

Police looking for Lenell James Kirby

Lenell James Kirby (WDIV)

DETROIT – The mother of a man wanted in connection to a deadly shooting Sunday morning in Detroit is making a plea for him to turn himself into police. 

Police are seeking Lenell James Kirby, 28, in connection with a shooting that killed a 28-year-old woman and has left a 22-year-old woman in critical condition.

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His mother, Linda Kirby, made a public plea Monday for her son to turn himself in. 

"Turn yourself in. Do the right thing ... I know I raised you better than that, so please turn yourself in. My heart goes out to the mothers of the two women," said Linda Kirby. 

Lenell Kirby is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Lenell Kirby (WDIV)

Police said the women were in the 18000 block of Grandville Avenue when they were shot at 3:14 a.m. Tyiela Autrey, 28, was shot in the eye and died at a hospital, police said. Kiera Autrey, 22, was shot in the head and is in critical condition at a hospital.

Kierra Autrey and Tyiela Autrey (WDIV)

Family members say Tyiela Autrey had just started dating Kirby a few months ago.

"She was excited about the new relationship and liked him," said Mary Autrey, aunt to both victims. 

The family says Kirby became jealous and controlling and Tyiela wanted to break up. The couple lived with Kiera Autrey, who is Tyiela’s niece, .

The two women were together early Sunday morning when Kirby allegedly showed up at the home armed with a weapon.  

"She witnessed everything," said Autrey. 

Kiera watched as her aunt was gunned down and called her mother, hysterical.

"She said I’ve been shot come and get me, and then five more shots went off," said Autrey. 

Kiera, who had served in the Army for two years, was rushed to Sainai-Grace hospital on the west side.

Kirby took off in a black equinox and led police on a brief chase. Detroit police are warning the public to consider him armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about Kirby's whereabouts is asked to call police at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

About the Authors:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism