The man accused of firing a gun and killing two people at a Detroit Lions homecoming celebration last Sunday will NOT be charged with any crime … as authorities say he acted in self-defense.
THE shooting It happened at Eastern Market — just blocks from Ford Field — as people celebrated after the Lions lost a thrilling game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that a 25-year-old man Jalen Welch got into an argument with a 40-year-old man at the scene … when the man opened fire and killed him. A bystander, police added, was also struck by gunfire … and later died at a nearby hospital from his injuries.
But according to the Wayne County prosecutor Kym WorthyFurther investigation into the matter revealed that Welch appeared to be the aggressor… and the 40-year-old was merely protecting himself.
“We have reviewed this case thoroughly,” she said in a statement Wednesday afternoon, “and this is a case of self-defense. It is absolutely tragic that during all the fun and revelry at a Lions tailgate, two lives were lost. The first was Mr. Welch, who was the one who first pulled out a gun and was shot by the 40-year-old man, a lawful CPL holder, who was defending himself. A single shot was fired.”
“And then,” Worthy continued, “perhaps most painful of all is the fact that a completely and utterly innocent bystander, Mr. (Rayshawn) Palmerwas shot and killed by the same bullet that went through Mr. Welch’s head. It could have been any one of us. We have reviewed all applicable laws, and there is no crime that can be charged or proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Meanwhile, Eastern Market officials said they are pausing tailgating festivities for the Lions’ next home game on Sept. 30 “out of respect for the victims and their families.”
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“Following the pause on September 30,” they added, “we intend to resume the tradition of tailgating for the remainder of the season after enacting additional and significant safety protocols that will be communicated to the public in advance.”
HC Dan Campbell reported on the shooting at Eastern Market, where two victims were killed while tailgating for the #Lions “tragic” game. Campbell said “whoever it is has a family and I’m thinking of them and prayers go out to them, their family, their friends and it’s unfortunate…” photo.twitter.com/daxPw15NSj
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 16, 2024
@E_Woodyard
On the Lions’ side, the head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week that the incident was a tragedy… and that he was praying for the victims and their families.
