DETROIT (WWJ) - Officials are continuing to investigate a murder on Tuesday morning after a woman was stabbed to death in Detroit.
WWJ's Ryan Marshall is live from the scene where the woman's body was found in front of a Sunoco gas station along Woodward Ave. at the intersection of Harmon, north of Chicago Blvd.
Detroit police said officers responded to the area around 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 10. Detectives initially believed a man had been shot, but Marshall was able to confirm the deceased as female and that the woman was stabbed in the chest.
"Some residents say they believe this woman goes by the name of 'Shorty', that's her street name," Marshall said. "Now this is unconfirmed, but several people I spoke to out here in the surrounding neighborhood say that Shorty lived on the streets, had two kids that were given away and often begged people for money at the Sunoco gas station."
Employees at the gas station told Marshall that they had to remove the woman, who is also known as Shaquita, from the premises at times, although what led to her being stabbed is unclear.
Those who live in the surrounding area expressed their disbelief and fear at the incident.
"To start my morning like this is horrible," one woman told Marshall. "I mean, [her body] is literally in the middle of the street and it does make me afraid for, you know, the general area that is trying to come up. It's just sad that there's still this kind of activity going on in the midst of all the great things going on in Detroit."
The victim's identity is still unconfirmed at this time and it is unclear if a suspect or suspects have been identified or apprehended.
Marshall said the scene remains very active with an investigation into the incident underway.
No other details have been released.
Editor's note: It was earlier incorrectly reported that the victim in this case was killed in Highland Park. The story has since be edited to reflect that the incident occurred in Detroit.