On November 30, 2018, Ryan Nelson, a 21-year-old visiting from Tennessee, was fatally shot at the New Russell Creative Center in Detroit during what had been arranged as a marijuana transaction. His cousin, Garrett Cornwell, was also shot and seriously wounded but survived. Reports say the deal turned violent and Nelson was struck by multiple bullets and died of his injuries.

Police arrested 27-year-old Marcus Beri of Southfield and charged him with Nelson’s murder and the attempted murder of Cornwell. At trial the defense said Beri shot both men in self-defense after an alleged robbery attempt during the deal; the prosecution noted Beri fled the scene with a backpack of money and did not contact police. In October 2022 a jury acquitted Beri of murder and attempted murder but convicted him of two counts of armed robbery and two counts of felony firearm; he was sentenced to 17 to 30 years.

Ryan had talked about opening a soup kitchen in the future; his family continues to grieve his loss. If anyone has information about what happened that night, please share what you know.