On the morning of Wednesday, January 25, 2017, 28-year-old Keenan Beard was fatally shot while seated in his vehicle outside Mark Twain School for Scholars in southwest Detroit, near Visger Street and South Fort Street. Beard had driven to the school to drop off his young son; the child went inside unharmed. Witnesses and investigators reported the shooting was carried out in an execution-style attack, with the assailant either entering Beard’s car or already inside when multiple shots were fired. Emergency responders pronounced Beard dead at the scene.

Police described the suspect as a man about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 pounds, medium complexion, wearing a bright orange hooded sweatshirt, and seen fleeing east on Visger Street. Detroit police said detectives believed the victim and shooter were likely acquainted, and reporting indicated Beard had survived previous attempts on his life. Motive remained under investigation and the killing had not been publicly resolved.

Anyone with information about the shooting or who knew Keenan Beard is asked to come forward.