COMMERCE TWP. (WWJ) -- The death of a young man whose body was found near a boat launch at Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County has been ruled a homicide.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday its detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Andre Sontay Avant Jr. of Inkster as a murder.
Deputies responded to the scene, on the east side of Wixom Rd., south of Sleeth Rd. in Commerce Township. just before 9 a.m. Monday after a park visitor spotted the body lying in a pile of melting snow
Authorities have since determined that he'd been shot, but they don't know who did it or why.
Tips are wanted to help solve this case.
“This was a brutal and senseless homicide that has left a family and community searching for answers. We are committed to pursuing justice for this individual and holding every person involved fully accountable," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said, in a statement.
"We need the public’s help — if you saw anything suspicious in the area or have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please come forward. There is a reward being offered, and your information could be the key to bringing those responsible to justice.”
Anyone with information about the shooting, or who may have seen Avant on Sunday or early Monday, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Tipsters remain anonymous.