Devastating Triple Shooting Near Skinner Park Claims Lives of 4-Year-Old Boy and Teen in Detroit
DETROIT, MI — An unspeakable tragedy unfolded on Detroit’s east side Friday evening, leaving a city reeling with sorrow and disbelief. A 4-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were fatally shot in a triple shooting near Skinner Park, a place where children often play and families gather. The devastating incident occurred around 6:21 p.m. on June 27 near Duchess Street and Britain Avenue, a neighborhood not far from Denby High School.
According to authorities, gunfire erupted in the residential area as the summer sun was beginning to set, turning an otherwise peaceful evening into a scene of horror and heartbreak. Detroit police responded swiftly to reports of multiple people shot, only to discover a tragedy that would send shockwaves through the community. Among the victims was a 4-year-old boy, whose life was cut short before it had a chance to truly begin, and an 18-year-old young man, full of promise and potential. A third individual, also male, survived the shooting and was rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries that, while serious, are reportedly non-life-threatening.
The names of the victims have not yet been released to the public, as authorities work to notify and support their families. The Detroit Police Department has launched an intensive investigation into the shooting, which Chief Todd Bettison has described as “a senseless and cowardly act of violence.” During a press briefing Friday night, Chief Bettison expressed the department’s commitment to finding those responsible and holding them accountable. He called on members of the community to come forward with any information that might assist the investigation.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for our city,” Chief Bettison said. “A 4-year-old child — just a baby — lost his life. An 18-year-old, with his whole future ahead of him, is gone. We need answers, and we need our community’s help. Enough is enough.”
As police canvass the area and review surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses, a growing memorial of candles, teddy bears, and flowers has begun to form near the site of the shooting. Neighborhood residents and community leaders have gathered to mourn, pray, and demand justice for the young lives lost.
For many in the neighborhood, this tragedy is yet another painful reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence in Detroit and across the nation. Parents are grappling with how to explain the loss to their children. Local educators are preparing to provide grief counseling to students who may have known or seen the young victim. Activists and city officials alike are renewing their calls for community investment, youth programming, and policy reforms to stem the tide of violence.
“This neighborhood is full of love and hope, but it’s being overshadowed by fear and grief,” said Tamika Jordan, a community organizer and local mother. “We cannot keep burying our babies. We have to come together and fight for their future.”
The 4-year-old’s death has especially shaken residents. Described by neighbors as a sweet, playful child who loved riding his bike and playing at the park, his death has left a gaping wound in the hearts of all who knew him. The 18-year-old, according to community members, had recently graduated high school and was looking forward to college in the fall.
As Detroit comes to terms with this horrific act, city leaders are urging unity, resilience, and collaboration. Mayor Mike Duggan released a statement late Friday, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and pledging support for the police investigation.
“We are heartbroken as a city,” Mayor Duggan said. “We will not allow this tragedy to pass quietly. These young lives mattered, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
Anyone with information related to the shooting is encouraged to contact the Detroit Police Department’s Homicide Unit or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, where tips can be submitted anonymously.
As candles flicker near Skinner Park and families grieve the unimaginable, one thing is clear — Detroit is mourning. And though words may fail in moments like these, the city’s collective heartbreak is loud, demanding action, healing, and hope for a safer future.