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Eastern Market to enhance safety measures after tailgate double shooting

Family identified the first shooting victim as Rayshawn Bryant

DETROIT – Two families are in mourning after a dispute allegedly over a parking spot during a Detroit Lions tailgate at Eastern Market.

On Monday (Sept. 16) afternoon, the Detroit Police Department confirmed a second person died following Sunday’s deadly shooting where throngs of fans cheered the team.

Family and friends identified the first shooting victim as Rayshawn Bryant. The other victim has not been identified yet.

Family and friends identified the first shooting victim as Rayshawn Bryant. The other victim has not been identified yet. (Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.)

According to his family, Bryant was known for being the life of the party and a family man to four children.

“That man was everything to me,” said Kanisha Harper, who shares an 11-year-old daughter with Bryant.

Harper walked Local 4 through what led to the deadly shooting.

“From my understanding yesterday, some guys were fighting over a parking spot, which led to gun violence,” Harper said.

Detroit police say a heated argument led to the shooting in Shed 6.

Harper claims the dispute ended until the alleged shooter returned with a gun.

Bryant’s daughter was just yards away with another tailgating group in Shed 5.

Investigators say the alleged shooter is an Oak Park man who’s a CPL holder in his 30s.

It’s not clear if the suspect and victims knew each other. However, those closest to Bryant say he was trying to break up the fight before the shooting.

As for security, a spokesperson for Eastern Market said it’s working with area law enforcement and city officials to enhance public safety measures, including increasing foot patrols in the area.

The representative also said it’s looking at its options, including the future of tailgating at Eastern Market.

Meanwhile, Bryant’s family is dealing with an unimaginable loss.

“I want to see him do life,” Harper said. “I don’t want him to ever come out of there, ever.”


About the Author

Shawnte Passmore joined WDIV in August 2024 after working at KOVR in Sacramento, California, WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut and KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska.

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