Seventeen-year-old Franklin De Jesus was fatally shot on the evening of October 13, 2023, while at the Delta Hotel in Kentwood, Michigan. Police responded to reports of a shooting at about 10:15 p.m. and found De Jesus in a hotel room with gunshot wounds; life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Described by his Culver’s manager as cheerful and hardworking, he had been celebrating his birthday at the time of the shooting.

In the days after the killing a juvenile was arrested and is being held at the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center; the suspect’s identity has not been released because of their age. Detectives are coordinating with the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office as the investigation continues. Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact authorities.