A familiar face in Darean “Dee Dee” Davis is missing as students enter the second week of classes at University High School.
Over the Labor Day weekend, someone shot the 14-year-old sophomore student and a friend outside of the Michigan State Fair.
The friend, also 14 years old, is expected to survive.
On Tuesday (Sept. 3), families were in disbelief while the search for the shooter continued.
“Our boys, we really have to keep them under our wing,” said Damone Mack, a parent.
In the latest update, the Novi Police Department told Local 4 it had received tips and videos following Saturday’s deadly shooting in the parking lot of the Suburban Collection Showplace.
The incident began as a heated dispute. Breanna Woodson said her daughter made plans to hang out with Dee-Dee Saturday night but didn’t after she wasn’t able to get a ride to the fair.
“That could’ve been my kid partying with her friends,” Woodson said. “You know, bullets don’t have no names.”
Dujuan “Zoe” Kennedy lives to end community violence.
“Our mission is to create a freer and safer Detroit,” said Kennedy.
The community organization FORCE Detroit explains the mindset of kids struggling with disputes.
“There’s a lot of contributing factors to it outside of just anger,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy believes the pandemic has played a role.
The executive deputy director of programs said that if a child’s basic needs are also not being met, this can be a contributing factor.
While there’s no suspect description, FORCE Detroit claims a lot is being poured into this aggressive behavior among teens too often.
“We know that no one wakes up in the morning angry and gets to that point,” Kennedy said.
When asked how someone could squash their beef, Kennedy said building influence is critical.
“You build influence by intentional engagement,” Kennedy said. “You get the strongest influence by engaging people with love.”
The group believes prevention is critical. Developing relationships while keeping kids busy through positive activities can steer someone from trouble.
At University High School, it deployed a crisis team for anyone in need.
While Novi police say the shooting appears to be targeted, Ferndale police also increased their visibility in the area.
In a letter sent to families, Supt. Camille Hibbler wrote in part, “The safety and well-being of our students are and will always be our top priorities.”
Now, families are having hard talks about how to handle disagreements.
For Kennedy, the other option is not worth it.
“Don’t trade what you want most for what you want in the moment,” Kennedy said.
