Detroit police chief speaks out after fatal shooting at Eastern Market
Detroit Police Chief James White speaks to reporters following the fatal shooting at Eastern Market on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Courtesy of Detroit Police
This story has been updated to add new information.
Eastern Market has canceled its next tailgate party at the Detroit Lions home game after a shooting left two people dead last weekend.
The Sept. 30 tailgate party for the Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks has been canceled out of respect for the victims and their families, Eastern Market management said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon. The time will be used to put safety precautions in place, the statement said, and the market is trying to make the area a “gun-free zone” going forward.
Jalen Welch, 25, and Rayshawn Bryant, 40, both of Detroit, were shot and killed Sunday at the Lions’ popular tailgate hangout.
Police said an argument escalated at the Shed 6 outdoor market after the Lions hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eastern Market Corp. said the shooting occurred “after the conclusion of the Lions game and following our tailgating event.”
Police have not released further details about the circumstances of the shooting, but Bryant’s family said their relative was trying to break up a dispute between two men when he was shot.
Police arrested an Oak Park man in his 30s who has a firearms permit, but no charges have been filed.
More: Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell calls Eastern Market shooting “tragic”
Eastern Market Corp. said in an earlier statement to the Free Press that the market has long felt safe for visitors, hosting thousands of people each Saturday and hosting cultural events “in what continues to be a safe and welcoming environment.”
“This was the first incident of gun violence at the market in our 133-year history. … We extend our condolences to the families of those killed and injured in this incident and to all those affected by the event,” the statement said.
Tailgates are expected to resume after Sept. 30. The Lions’ next home game is Oct. 27 against the Tennessee Titans. Additional safety measures are expected to be announced in advance.
More: Family at vigil for Rayshawn Bryant after fatal shooting in Eastern Market: “Stop the violence”
The annual Eastern Market After Dark is scheduled to take place on Thursday, according to a market comment on Instagram.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Writers Andrea Sahouri and Dana Afana contributed to this story.
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