Clayton Willis, 64, was a well-known presence at the intersection of 8 Mile and the Southfield Freeway in Detroit. A double amputee who used a wheelchair and panhandled there after losing his legs to frostbite, Willis had already survived a summer 2023 unprovoked shooting to the back of the head during a series of attacks on panhandlers in that area that police linked to a possible turf war.

On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, a black Dodge Charger pulled up and an argument between Willis and the driver, 28-year-old Joseph Selita of Sterling Heights, turned into a physical struggle over a firearm. Multiple shots were fired; Selita was found dying in his car and pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in the chest and neck. Willis was taken to a nearby hospital and later died of his injuries. The homicide unit is investigating the motive; with the other participant also deceased no arrests have been made.

Those who knew Willis remembered him as friendly and grateful. If anyone witnessed the January 10 confrontation or has information about the string of attacks on panhandlers in that area, please share what is known.