On the evening of April 23, 2014, 17-year-old Marquis Gresham was walking with friends along 5th Street in Muskegon Heights on his way to a banquet celebrating his high school basketball team’s run to the state semi-finals. A burgundy SUV approached the group and gunfire rang out; witnesses later reported hearing a rapid succession of four shots around 6:15 p.m. A single bullet struck Marquis. A resident and her husband tried to render aid but Marquis was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting.

Investigators determined Marquis was not the intended target and was an innocent bystander. Two men, cousins Shundarius Lawson and Ryheim Beasley, were arrested and charged with open murder. In court Beasley admitted he had driven Lawson to Muskegon Heights looking for some Heights boys and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, receiving a reduced charge and testifying against Lawson. Lawson, who fired the shot, entered a no-contest plea to second-degree murder. Beasley was later sentenced to 16 to 35 years and Lawson was also sentenced.

If anyone knew Marquis, saw that burgundy SUV, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.