Scene after Detroit Lions tailgate shooting (Photo via WXYZ)
The shooter from Sunday’s Detroit Lions tailgate party who killed one person on the scene and left another nursing wounds, which eventually turned out to be fatal, will not face any criminal charges.
Eastern Market was the scene of a horrific incident following the Lions’ loss to the the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the day.
HC Dan Campbell called the Eastern Market shooting where 2 victims were killed while tailgating for the #Lions game “tragic.” Campbell said “whoever that is has a family and I’m thinking about them and prayers go out to them, their family, their friends and it’s unfortunate…” pic.twitter.com/daxPw15NSj
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 16, 2024
According to police, a preliminary investigation revealed that 25-year-old Jalen Welch got into a dispute with a 40-year-old man. The man opened fire and killed him, while a bystander was hit in the process and later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has disclosed that the shooter was acting in self-defense, with Welch said to have pulled out a gun first.
“We have reviewed this case thoroughly,” Worthy said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon (H/T TMZ), “and this is a case of lawful self-defense. It is absolutely tragic that during all the fun and merrymaking at a Lions tailgate that, 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, a lawful CPL holder, who was defending himself. A single shot was fired.
“And then, perhaps the most heartbreaking of all is the fact that a completely and totally innocent bystander, Mr. [Rayshawn] Palmer, was shot and killed with the same bullet that passed through the head of Mr. Welch. It could have been any one of us. We looked at all the applicable laws, and there is no crime that can be charged or proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Detroit Lions Fans Will Not Participate In Tailgating At Their Next Home Game
Tailgating activities have been suspended by Eastern market officials, who say they will not permit any festivities for the Lions’ next home game on September 30 out of respect for the victims and their families.
Activities will resume thereafter, but security protocols will be put in place and communicated to fans.
