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2 shots at Eastern Market in Detroit

Vaseline September 16, 2024

Detroit — As thousands of people gathered around Eastern Market on Sunday, a skirmish led to shootings that left one man dead, a second man in critical condition and a suspect arrested, the city’s police chief said.

According to Detroit Police Chief James White, the incident began around 4:30 a.m. at Shed 6 on Riopelle Street, following the Detroit Lions game at nearby Ford Field.

“A large fight broke out (that) dissipated after a few minutes,” the chief said at a news conference near the shooting. “They regrouped a few feet from where the initial fight started. The two fighters put their hands up as if they were about to fight each other … one of the people in the fight, an Oak Park man, pulls out a gun and fires at least twice. Two people were hit.”

A man in his 40s who White said lived in Detroit died, while a second victim in his 20s was hospitalized in critical condition, the police chief said.

“Officers did a great job,” White said. “They were there directing traffic from the game and heard the shots. They were able to quickly apprehend the shooter.”

White said the two victims and the shooter were “likely” at the postgame tailgate party, which followed the Lions’ 20-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field, less than a mile away. The shooting occurred in front of thousands of people, most of whom were fans leaving the Lions game, the chief said.

“Tailgating, drinking and guns don’t mix,” the chief said. “It’s ridiculous. If you’re going to fight, fight. Everybody should have a gun; it makes them feel tough. And now we have two people shot, one dead, and another suspect facing serious charges, probably murder.”

According to White, the suspect is in his 30s and has a permit to carry a concealed handgun.

“We see (violence) at carnivals, we see it at social events,” White said. “Everybody should have a gun. You don’t need a gun at a tailgate. The big story today should have been that the Lions lost and some people got into a fight.”

Loods 6 was cordoned off with police tape. Officers could be seen there talking to several crying people.

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