No charges will be filed against the gunman involved in a double-fatal shooting that occurred during a Detroit Lions tailgate at Eastern Market on Sunday, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
The investigation concluded that the 40-year-old shooter acted in self-defense after being confronted by 26-year-old Jalen Welch, who brandished a firearm during a heated argument.
The prosecutor’s office determined that Welch was the first to pull a gun, prompting the shooter to respond by drawing his own weapon and firing a single shot.
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The bullet struck Welch in the head, passed through, and tragically hit 32-year-old Rayshawn Palmer, an innocent bystander who was attempting to defuse the situation.
"Mr. Welch held the pistol in a threatening manner while approaching the shooter," the prosecutor's office said in a statement. "The shooter then removed his concealed pistol from near his waist and shot Mr. Welch one time. The bullet struck Mr. Welch in the front of his head and exited the back of his head. The bullet then struck the head of Mr. Palmer. This single gunshot resulted in the death of two individuals."
Palmer, described by the prosecutor's office as a "peacemaker," was not involved in the altercation but was trying to intervene to prevent further escalation.
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The incident occurred after a physical altercation and verbal argument broke out near Shed 6 at Eastern Market. Welch reportedly walked into the confrontation holding a pistol, leading to the deadly exchange.
Michigan law allows individuals to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves or others if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
In this case, authorities concluded that the shooter acted within his legal rights under the state's self-defense laws.
"The shooter was not involved with the physical altercation or any crime when Mr. Welch pulled out his weapon and threatened him with deadly force," the prosecutor's office explained. "It is only then that the shooter drew his weapon and fired one time, striking Mr. Welch, and unfortunately striking Mr. Palmer."
Prosecutor Worthy called the incident "tragic" and noted the devastating loss of two lives during what was supposed to be a day of celebration for Lions fans.
"We have reviewed this case thoroughly, and this is a case of lawful self-defense," Worthy said in a statement. "It is absolutely tragic that during all the fun and merrymaking at a Lions tailgate that two lives were lost. The first was Mr. Welch, who was the one who first pulled out a gun and was shot by the 40-year-old, a lawful CPL holder, who was defending himself. A single shot was fired. And then, perhaps the most heartbreaking of all is the fact that a completely and totally innocent bystander, Mr. Palmer, was shot and killed with the same bullet that passed through the head of Mr. Welch. It could have been any one of us."
Worthy emphasized that after reviewing all applicable laws, there was no basis to charge the shooter, as the evidence clearly pointed to a case of self-defense.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Eastern Market tailgate for the next Lions home game, scheduled for September 30 during Monday Night Football, has been canceled.
Eastern Market officials and the Detroit Police Department are now discussing strategies for handling future tailgates, which may include implementing a weapons-free zone and using weapons detection systems.
Detroit police are considering all options to enhance security at future events, with police leadership stating that "nothing is off the table" as they work to ensure safety for fans attending tailgates and other gatherings.
Original article below:
A tragic altercation turned deadly on Sunday evening outside Ford Field in Detroit, following a football game between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
UPDATE: 2 people shot and at least one killed after the Detroit Lions game.
Police say that it started as a fight and escalated into a shooting. pic.twitter.com/8tWusbf7GD — Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) September 15, 2024
A fight between fans escalated into gunfire, leaving one man dead and another in critical condition, according to Detroit police.
The violence unfolded around 4:30 p.m. at Eastern Market, a popular tailgating destination located near Ford Field.
The incident occurred in Shed 6, one of the market’s buildings, where a group of fans had gathered after the game.
Detroit Police Chief James White, addressing the media at the scene, detailed how the confrontation spiraled out of control.
According to White, an initial brawl between two men was broken up, but tensions reignited a short distance away, leading one of the individuals, a resident of Oak Park, to pull out a firearm and fire at least two shots. Both men involved in the altercation were struck.
A Detroit man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene, while another man in his 20s, also from Detroit, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. “This is senseless," Chief White said. "Tailgating, drinking, and guns don’t mix. If you’re going to fight, then fight—but now we have two people shot, one dead, and another individual facing severe charges.”
The suspect, a man in his 30s from the Oakland County suburb of Oak Park, was arrested shortly after the shooting. White confirmed that the suspect is licensed to carry a gun, and officers recovered two firearms from the scene. The suspect remains in custody, and police have indicated that he will likely face murder charges.
The deadly encounter occurred as fans were leaving Ford Field following the 1 p.m. game, which saw the Detroit Lions take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eastern Market, known for its bustling crowds on game days, quickly turned into a scene of chaos as fans fled the gunfire.
Witnesses described the frightening moments when shots rang out. Cream Powers, 48, and Rhonda Taylor, 50, who run a barbecue stand nearby, told the Detroit Free Press that they heard gunfire and saw people scrambling for cover. “I was serving a customer, cutting some meat up, and all of a sudden, all I know is everybody started rushing down here,” Powers recalled. “Women started running, dogs running under our table. It was really crazy out here, man.”
(September 15, 2024)-
One man is dead and another is in critical condition after a shooting at Eastern Market Sunday afternoon at the Lions’ game. 🙏🏾🕊️ Detroit Police Chief James White said an Oak Park man in his 30s is in custody. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/JcHW3R6Cz3 — Gang Hits (@GangHits) September 16, 2024
Taylor, who has been coming to Eastern Market for 10 years on game days, said the atmosphere was typical for tailgating until the shooting erupted. “It was actually beautiful until that happened,” she said.
Chief White expressed frustration over the ease with which conflicts now escalate to gun violence. “It shouldn’t have led to this,” White said. “We’ve got two people shot, one dead. And you have a suspect that’s in custody, that’s, you know, going to be dealing with some very serious charges—likely murder.”
White also commented on what he sees as a broader issue of gun violence in society, noting how disputes that once might have ended with fists are now being settled with firearms. “We bring them out for every minor conflict,” he said. “It’s ridiculous. If you’re going to fight, have a fight. Live to fight another day. But everyone has to have a gun, makes them feel tough.”
The shooting at Eastern Market is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have taken place at or near public events, further highlighting concerns about gun violence in the United States. Ford Field, which had just hosted thousands of fans for a high-energy NFL game, became the backdrop for a somber and tragic scene as police investigated the shooting.
Shooting today at the Detroit lions tailgate
Two dead pic.twitter.com/cXHaVgLZNc — Kam (@NoAuraKam) September 15, 2024
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. As the investigation continues, Detroit officials are working to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
The incident has also prompted renewed calls for stricter measures to prevent such violence, particularly at large public gatherings. For now, the city of Detroit mourns the loss of one of its own, while another fights for his life in the hospital.
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Its detroit.. Yawn..Just the porch apes smokin each other.. Always gang related
I understand the self defense application of the law, but how does that apply to the killing of the innocent bystander? Last I checked, the accidental death caused by another person is called manslaughter.
No, you did not check. Their are several elements required for a charge of manslaughter.
If not, every single unintentional killing of an innocent person would result in a manslaughter charge.
Try harder…
It is a tragedy that some well meaning bystander trying to intervene was killed.
Anybody get back to the Chief of police for all his threats of murder charges now that it’s been ruled 100% self defense.