Detroit, Michigan — A quiet Monday morning turned into a heartbreaking tragedy after a drive-by shooting claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy and left a 17-year-old critically injured in Detroit’s west side. The horrific incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on October 6, 2025, near the intersection of Littlefield Street and West Chicago Boulevard, shocking a community already struggling with youth gun violence.
The Incident
According to the Detroit Police Department (DPD), officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the Littlefield and West Chicago area. Upon arrival, they discovered two teenage boys suffering from gunshot wounds on the sidewalk near a residential block.
The 14-year-old victim, whose name has not yet been released pending family notification, was found unresponsive at the scene. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders, he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital.
The 17-year-old was also rushed to Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Officials said he sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and leg.
Witnesses reported hearing a burst of gunfire followed by screeching tires as a dark-colored vehicle sped away from the area. Several shell casings were recovered from the roadway, and police have since confirmed that the shooting was a targeted drive-by attack.
Police Investigation Underway
Detroit Police Chief James White held a press briefing Monday afternoon, calling the shooting “a senseless act of violence” and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
“We have two young people — children — who were targeted and shot in broad daylight. This type of violence is absolutely unacceptable,” Chief White said. “Our investigators are working around the clock to identify the suspects and determine a motive.”
Detectives from the Homicide Task Force and Gang Intelligence Unit are assisting in the investigation. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses is being reviewed, and police are urging residents in the area to check home security cameras for any potential leads.
Authorities have not released a description of the suspects or the vehicle involved but believe that the shooting may be connected to a recent neighborhood dispute involving local teens.
Community in Shock
The drive-by has sent shockwaves through the Littlefield and West Chicago neighborhood — a historically tight-knit community where residents say they have seen an increase in gunfire and street violence over the past few months.
Neighbors described the 14-year-old victim as a “polite and respectful kid” who loved basketball and often played at the local park after school.
“He wasn’t in the streets. He was just a kid,” said a tearful neighbor who asked not to be identified. “He didn’t deserve this. None of these kids do.”
Another resident, who heard the gunfire, said,
“It sounded like 10 or 12 shots. I ran to the window and saw them on the ground. It’s something no parent or neighbor should ever see.”
Local community leaders and pastors have begun organizing a candlelight vigil to honor the young victim and to call for peace. The vigil is expected to take place later this week near the site of the shooting.
Officials Respond
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Chief White both condemned the shooting in strong terms, reaffirming their joint commitment to curbing youth gun violence in the city.
“No 14-year-old should lose their life to bullets on their way to school or hanging out with friends,” said Mayor Duggan. “Our hearts are with the family, and our police department is fully engaged in finding whoever did this.”
The city’s Ceasefire Detroit and Crisis Intervention Teams have also been deployed to the neighborhood to assist families and mediate potential retaliation or further violence.
Youth Gun Violence: A Growing Concern
This tragedy adds to a worrying rise in youth-involved shootings across Detroit and other major cities nationwide. According to the Detroit Police Department’s 2025 midyear report, gun-related homicides among minors have increased by 17% compared to the same period last year.
Community advocates say more needs to be done to prevent such incidents before they happen.
“We keep losing our children to bullets before they even get a chance to grow up,” said activist Tiffany McCoy of Detroit Youth Safety Alliance. “We need intervention, mentorship, mental health services, and stricter accountability for illegal firearms. This can’t keep happening.”
Family Devastation
Family members of the 14-year-old boy are reeling from the loss. Relatives gathered outside the hospital on Monday, holding one another in grief as they spoke briefly to reporters.
“He was just a baby,” one family member sobbed. “He was supposed to start high school next year. He wanted to play basketball, maybe go to college. Now he’s gone because of somebody’s anger.”
The family of the 17-year-old survivor has asked for privacy as he fights for his life. Friends have described him as a hardworking student and athlete with dreams of becoming a mechanic.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help both families with medical and funeral expenses, with hundreds of community members contributing within hours of its creation.
Call for Information
Police are urging anyone with knowledge about the shooting or the suspects to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP (773-2587).
Chief White emphasized that community cooperation is key to solving cases like this.
“Someone in this community knows who did this,” he said. “We need your help to make sure another child doesn’t become the next victim.”
A City in Mourning
As Detroit mourns yet another young life lost to gun violence, residents are demanding change — not just justice for the victims but a long-term commitment to keeping kids safe.
The intersection of Littlefield and West Chicago is now marked by flowers, balloons, and handwritten messages of love and remembrance. One sign, placed near the growing memorial, reads simply:
“Stop the violence. Let our kids live.”
Conclusion
The senseless drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy and left a 17-year-old fighting for survival has once again laid bare the devastating toll of gun violence on Detroit’s youth. As police continue their investigation and the community gathers in grief, one message echoes through the city — this cannot be allowed to continue.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the vehicle involved is urged to contact the Detroit Police Department’s Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers immediately.
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