Braylon William Shepherd was an 18-year-old Black man from Lansing, Michigan, remembered as a devoted son, brother and father to his young daughter S’anyla. Friends called him B and his niece called him Unky; he played football and basketball when younger, worked at Dakkota in Lansing, and drove a Malibu he enjoyed.

Late on the night of Thursday, November 7, 2024, Lansing officers responded to a shooting on the 600 block of Sadie Court. Court documents say Braylon had gone to a residence after believing the mother of his child was with another man; he allegedly blocked her car and assaulted her, then as he returned to his vehicle 19-year-old Xavian Soto exited his vehicle and fired numerous shots into the passenger side, striking Braylon in the head. Braylon’s car then struck several vehicles; he was taken to a hospital and died of his injuries.

Investigators quickly identified and located a suspect using surveillance footage, cell phone pings and a search warrant, arresting 19-year-old Xavian Soto in Albion within 24 hours. The Ingham County Prosecutor charged Soto with open murder, carrying a concealed weapon and a felony firearm; he pleaded not guilty and was denied bond. Does anyone have information about Braylon, his last movements that night, or witnesses who saw the incident?