A trip to the Michigan State Fair ended in tragedy for 14-year-old Darean Davis. On August 31, 2024, the Detroit youth was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Another 14-year-old friend was also shot and survived. Davis, a sophomore at University High School in Ferndale and a player for the Detroit City Lions Youth Club, was taken to a local hospital and later died.

Police say the shooting, about 9:56 p.m., appears to have been the culmination of a dispute that began earlier in the week and escalated in the fair parking lot. Videos from the scene show people fleeing in the immediate chaos. Davis’s mother, Verteya Gilbert, and community leaders have appealed for witnesses to come forward; the Novi Police Department, Michigan State Police and Oakland County Sheriff’s Office have continued the investigation but report a lack of cooperation has hampered progress. No suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests have been announced.

If anyone was at the fair that night or has information that could help, can you share what you know with investigators?