A festive Sunday afternoon took a sad turn when gunfire erupted at a popular tailgating spot following the Detroit Lions’ football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 15, 2024. The incident, which occurred at Eastern Market outside of Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, left two men dead and a community grappling with the aftermath of unexpected violence.
According to Detroit Police Chief James White, the confrontation began around 4:30 p.m., shortly after the Lions’ 20-16 loss to the Buccaneers. What started as a large fight at Shed 6 on Riopelle Street quickly escalated into a deadly encounter.
“What it looks like preliminarily is that people got into it over something that happened here,” White explained at a press conference. “Tailgating, drinking, guns, they don’t mix.”
The initial confrontation broke up but quickly flared up again, only a short distance from its original location. According to White, the two individuals involved squared off, raising their hands as if preparing to engage in another fight. One of the participants in the skirmish, a male from Oak Park, then pulled out a gun and fired.
The victims, both Detroit residents, were identified as men in their 40s and 20s. The older man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the younger victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Police announced on Monday, September 16, that the second victim, Jalen Welch, had also passed away from his injuries.
The first victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was identified as 40-year-old Rayshawn Palmer. On Monday evening, hundreds gathered at Shed 6 in Eastern Market for a vigil in his memory. Palmer’s family portrayed him as the energetic center of any gathering and protective of his family and others. Reports indicate that Palmer was trying to intervene and stop the fight when he was fatally shot.
A suspect, described as a man in his 30s from Oak Park, Michigan, was quickly apprehended. Police confirmed that the suspect is licensed to carry a firearm.
A video of the shooting has been made public, and what is seen on it led to the decision that the shooter will not be prosecuted. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy ruled it a case of self-defense. The lawyer for the shooter stated that the video clearly illustrates what his client was thinking when he began shooting at Jalen Welch.
A single shot was discharged, resulting in the death of Welch, who allegedly pulled out his firearm and threatened Palmer first. The shooter then struck Welch fatally with a bullet to the head, which also unintentionally killed bystander Palmer.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s statement said that in this situation, the shooter was not part of the physical confrontation or any wrongdoing when Welch took out his gun and threatened him. It was at that moment that the shooter retrieved his weapon and fired a single shot, hitting Welch and, regrettably, also hitting Palmer. She said a comprehensive examination of the facts and evidence indicates that the shooter was acting in legitimate self-defense. Therefore, the shooting was warranted. There is not enough evidence to prosecute the shooter for any crime.
The incident has cast a pall over what should have been a day of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Eastern Market, located northeast of downtown Detroit, has long been a popular gathering spot for Lions fans before and after games. The Eastern Market Corporation emphasized that this was the “first incident of gun violence” in the market’s 133-year history.
In response to the shooting, the Eastern Market Corporation announced plans to enhance public safety measures, including increased foot patrols around the market. They also will consult with stakeholders, including public safety officials, city representatives, small businesses, and neighbors, to explore options for the future of tailgating at Eastern Market to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the shooting at his Monday afternoon press conference, expressing his condolences to 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, called the incident “incredibly tragic” and stressed the need to confront the decline in civility and the tendency to resolve conflicts through violence. Larson noted that his organization has made all its venues and events gun-free zones and collaborates closely with law enforcement to help prevent such occurrences.
Chief White also addressed the wider issue of conflict resolution, highlighting how his department frequently encounters similar situations at large gatherings. He expressed frustration over the lack of de-escalation skills, remarking that it should never have turned into a fatal situation.
A Facebook page for Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church located in Talladega Alabama shared that Welch was the grandson of a pastor from their congregation The church used Facebook to extend their sympathies to the Welch family.
The family of the bystander, Palmer, is experiencing sorrow and loss once again after discovering that the individual who shot and killed him and another man will not be prosecuted. They say that their quest for justice has just started.