A 16-year-old boy, Elijah Reece, was fatally shot on May 22, 2024, in a vacant parking lot on Detroit, Michigan’s east side. Elijah, an East English Village Preparatory Academy student, was walking with a friend when the incident occurred. The shooting happened near the I-94 Service Drive and King Richard Street, about 1.5 miles from his school. The young boy was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.
Neighbors reported seeing a group of teens, not usually seen in the area, hanging out in the lot. There was no apparent tension until voices were raised, followed by the sound of gunshots. Shanita Shamily, a resident, said, “From my vantage point, it seemed like they were just talking, then I lost sight of them. Suddenly, I heard gunshots.”
Elijah’s family believes he was targeted because of his designer shoes. His mother, Jamie Reece, had bought him a pair of $1,200 Alexander McQueen shoes. At a vigil held on May 27, Jamie expressed her anguish, saying, “Senseless. Y’all killed my baby for nothing.”
The Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, launching an investigation and search for the shooter. Initial information suggests the shooting may have been connected to an attempted robbery. Authorities are searching for three suspects. As of the latest updates, no arrests have been made.
Elijah was described by his friends and school staff as a good kid and very popular. Toson Knight, a former dean at East English Village Prep, shared his sorrow, “Elijah was an outgoing kid with so much life to live. It’s heartbreaking to lose such a promising young life.”
The Detroit Public Schools Community District canceled classes the following day as the community mourned the loss. The district also announced increased police presence at the school for the remainder of the school year and grief counselors available to support students and staff. The district emphasized that the incident was not directly connected to the school or its students.
Detroit police actively investigate the case and urge anyone with information to come forward. They have not released many details about the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.
