Michael Ballard was 23 when he was fatally shot on September 27, 2019, on the front steps of his mother’s home in the 18000 block of Lamont Street in Detroit. Police reported the dispute began with a social media post Ballard made and escalated into a confrontation with two other men that ended in the shooting.

Investigators identified 21-year-old Davonta Dickens as a suspect and charged him with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, armed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, and four counts of felony firearm. After a trial, a Wayne County jury found Dickens not guilty on all counts related to Ballard’s death, concluding the criminal case.

The family and community continue to deal with the loss and the legal outcome. If anyone knew Michael, witnessed the incident, or has information that could shed light on what happened that night, please come forward.