DETROIT (WWJ) A 19-year-old Detroit man was charged with killing two and injuring 19, including teenagers, during a mass shooting at a summertime "illegal street gathering" on Detroit’s east side, police said.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Demitrus Tiwan Shaw with the deaths of Shanae Fletcher, 20 of Harrison Township, and Phillip Arnold, 21 of Detroit. The shooting also injured: a 16-year-old girl, two 17-year-old girls, a 17-year-old boy, a 19-year-old woman, two 20-year-old women, and two 22-year-old men, all of Detroit.
Also hurt were a 17-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, of Clinton Township; two 18-year-old women, of Eastpointe; a 20-year-old woman, of Oak Park; a 21-year-old woman, a 21-year-old man, and a 24-year-old woman, of Highland Park; a 21-year-old woman, of Southfield, and a 21-year-old woman of Chesterfield Township.
In a press conference on Friday; Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison called it the "largest mass shooting" in Detroit and Michigan's histories.
Police officers were called to a home on Rossini at Reno, near Schoenherr between 7 and 8 Mile Roads, on Sunday, July 7th, 2024 around 2:30 a.m. When they arrived, officers found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. Officers pronounced Fletcher and Arnold dead at the scene. The survivors were rushed to the hospital.
Prosecutors said Shaw allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired it multiple times into the crowd— killing two and injuring 19, before he ran away from the scene.
The shooting happened at an "illegal street gathering," Bettison said. It was dubbed illegal for multiple reasons including how loudly the music was playing at that time of night, and how the partygoers blocked the street.
Detroit Police Officers arrested Shaw exactly six months later, on January 7th, 2025.
"I'd like to thank many of our partners who helped...Detroit Major Crimes Unit, Homicide Task Force, Michigan State Police. This has been a cooperative, collaborative effort," Bettison said. "I'd like to thank Colonel Grady of MSP. I'd like to thank Sheriff Bouchard of Oakland County for lending his task force, of course, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Washington, Dearborn Police Department Police Chief Shahin, the Downriver SWAT, Homeland Security, ATF, and FBI Special Agent in charge Shae Gibson."
He also gave a "special thank you" to Prosecutor Worthy and her team, and the community for the tips they provided.
“This is something that affected us all in the city of Detroit. As you all know, this case made national news," Bettison said. "To the families of the victims, two people who were killed and the 19 others who were injured, it is with great pleasure today that I can bring you some source of justice.”
Shaw was charged with two counts of First Degree Murder, 19 counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, and 21 counts of Felony Firearm.
Lieutenant Matthew Bray, the lead officer on the case, said officers also executed 11 search warrants on Tuesday, January 7th, in connection to the mass shooting with the help of state and federal law enforcement.
During the searches; officers recovered 21 firearms: 17 handguns, three shotguns, and one rifle. Two of the firearms were stolen, according to police.
"Two of the handguns were affixed with gloc switches, which render the gun to fire fully automatic," Bray said.
Officers also seized "a multitude of narcotics" including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin worth $584,000 combined, and $9,000 in cash; Bray said.
Ten people were arrested in connection to this case and other crimes discovered during the investigation. No further information was released on their identities or their exact involvement.
"It's been 187 days since the start of this investigation..." Bray said. "(The Detroit Homicide Task Force) worked day and night. Many of them have missed time with family members. Many have missed birthdays working 15 hours, 20 hours days. Dedicated to this community. Dedicated to bringing a resolution to this case."
Shaw was arraigned and remanded to jail Friday afternoon in 36th District Court. He is due back in court for a Probable Cause Conference on January 21, and a Preliminary Examination on January 27th.
Police have not released a motive in the shooting.
"I can you, it wasn't a random occurrence," Bray said. "It definitely wasn't something that happened out of the blue."