A celebration following the Detroit Lions’ football game on September 15, 2024, ended in tragedy when gunshots rang out at a popular tailgating spot. The shooting, which took place at Eastern Market near Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, resulted in two fatalities, leaving the local community in shock and mourning.
Detroit Police Chief James White stated that the incident started around 4:30 p.m., shortly after the Lions’ 20-16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. An initially large altercation at Shed 6 on Riopelle Street quickly spiraled into a deadly situation.
At a press conference, White said, “What it looks like preliminarily is that people got into it over something that happened here. Tailgating, drinking, guns, they don’t mix.”
The initial confrontation dispersed but resurfaced a short distance away. According to Chief White, the two individuals involved appeared ready to engage in another fight. At this point, a male from Oak Park brandished a gun and fired multiple shots.
The two victims, Detroit residents in their 40s and 20s, did not survive their injuries. The older man was declared dead at the scene, while the younger man succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. It was announced on Monday, September 16, that the second victim had also died.
The first victim was identified as 40-year-old Rayshawn Palmer. Hundreds gathered at Shed 6 in Eastern Market to hold a vigil in his honor on Monday evening. Palmer was described by family as the life of a party and protective of his loved ones. Reports suggest that Palmer was attempting to stop the confrontation when he was fatally shot.
A suspect, a man in his 30s from Oak Park, Michigan, was apprehended soon after the incident. The man, a licensed firearm holder, is under investigation to determine if there was any previous connection between him and the victims. No charges have been announced as of the most recent updates.
This incident has cast a shadow over Eastern Market, a popular gathering spot for Lions fans located northeast of downtown Detroit. The Eastern Market Corporation highlighted that this was the first occurrence of gun violence in the market’s 133-year history.
In response to the event, the Eastern Market Corporation has announced plans to enhance security measures, which include increasing foot patrols. They will also liaise with stakeholders, such as city representatives, public safety officials, local businesses, and residents, to discuss future tailgating safety protocols.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed his condolences at a Monday press conference, stating, “Anytime somebody loses their life, that’s a tragic thing. Campbell said. “Whoever that is has a family. I’m thinking about them, and prayers go out to them, their family, their friends, and it’s unfortunate.”
Campbell also urged the community to support each other during this difficult time, reflecting the collective grief over the unexpected violence at a normally jubilant event.
Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, described the event as “incredibly tragic” and emphasized the need to address the decline in civility and the escalation of conflicts into violence. Larson’s organization has declared all its venues and events gun-free zones and works closely with law enforcement to prevent such incidents.
Chief White spoke about the broader issue of conflict resolution, expressing frustration over the frequent lack of de-escalation skills at large gatherings, and how this should never have escalated into a deadly incident.
As the investigation is ongoing, officials are asking anyone with information or video footage of the incident to come forward. The Detroit Police Department has provided several channels for tips, including Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-U.
