On a festive Sunday afternoon, a cheerful tailgating event took a tragic turn as gunfire broke out post a Detroit Lions football match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 15, 2024. The unfortunate incident happened at Eastern Market, a well-known tailgating spot outside Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Two men were killed, leaving a community wrestling with the repercussions of the sudden acts of violence.

Detroit Police Chief James White stated that the altercation began at approximately 4:30 p.m., shortly after the Lions’ 20-16 defeat against the Buccaneers. A large-scale brawl at Shed 6 on Riopelle Street quickly escalated into a fatal encounter. “What it looks like preliminarily is that people got into it over something that happened here,” White clarified during a press conference. “Tailgating, drinking, guns, they don’t mix.”

The initial fight dispersed but erupted again not far from its starting point. As per Chief White, two individuals involved squared off, raising their hands as if ready for another fight. One of the men involved, a resident of Oak Park, then brandished a gun and fired, after seeing the other man pull out his gun.

Both victims, Detroit residents, were men in their 40s and 20s. The older man was declared dead on site, while the younger was rushed to the hospital in a critical state. On September 16, Police announced the second victim, Jalen Welch, 25, had succumbed to his injuries.

The first victim, identified as 40-year-old Rayshawn Palmer, was pronounced dead at the scene. On Monday evening, hundreds gathered at Shed 6 in Eastern Market to hold a vigil in his memory. Palmer’s family described him as the life of any gathering and known for his protective nature. Reports suggest that Palmer was attempting to break up the fight when he was fatally shot.

The shooter, characterized as a man in his 30s from Oak Park, Michigan, was quickly taken into custody. Police verified that he was licensed to carry a firearm.

A video of the shooting has since been released. The evidence in the video led to the shooter not being prosecuted. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy determined it to be a case of self-defense. The shooter’s attorney claimed that the video clearly demonstrated his client’s mindset when he began shooting at Jalen Welch.

The video reportedly shows that a single shot was fired, resulting in the death of Welch, who allegedly brandished his firearm and threatened Palmer first. The shooter then fatally hit Welch with a bullet to the head, and inadvertently killed bystander Palmer.

In Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s statement, she said that the shooter was not involved in the physical altercation or any wrongdoing when Welch threatened him with his gun. At that moment, the shooter retrieved his firearm and fired the single shot, hitting Welch and, unintentionally, Palmer. She stated that a thorough examination of facts and evidence shows the shooter was acting in self-defense, making the shooting justified. There is insufficient evidence to charge the shooter with any crime.

The incident has marred what should have been a day of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Located northeast of downtown Detroit, Eastern Market has been a favored gathering spot for Lions fans before and after games for years. The Eastern Market Corporation noted this was the “first incident of gun violence” in the market’s 133-year history.

In light of the shooting, the Eastern Market Corporation has announced plans to bolster public safety measures, including heightened foot patrols around the market. They will also collaborate with stakeholders, including public safety officials, city representatives, small businesses, and neighbors, to evaluate options for the future of tailgating at Eastern Market to ensure the safety of all attendees.

Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions head coach, addressed the shooting during his Monday afternoon press conference, expressing his sympathies for those affected. “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.”

Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, labeled the incident “incredibly tragic” and emphasized the need to address the decline in civility and the propensity to resolve conflicts with violence. Larson’s organization has designated all its venues and events as gun-free zones and works closely with law enforcement to prevent such incidents.

Chief White also discussed the broader issue of conflict resolution, mentioning how his department frequently encounters similar situations at large gatherings. He expressed disappointment over the lack of de-escalation skills, noting the incident should never have turned fatal.

Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church located in Talladega, Alabama, revealed on their Facebook page that Welch was the grandson of one of their pastors. The church extended its condolences to the Welch family through Facebook.

The family of the bystander, Palmer, is dealing with grief and loss once more after learning that the individual who shot and killed him and another man will not be prosecuted. They say their pursuit of justice has only just begun.