Deonton Strickland

Deonton Strickland was a charismatic and caring young man who dedicated himself to his family, his church, and his community. The 21-year-old Black man was known as a leader and a protector, someone who looked out for everyone. He served as a youth leader at Puritan Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where he mentored younger members. He also worked as a manager at Marks One Car Rental in Redford Township. In his free time, Deonton enjoyed writing gospel rap songs, playing basketball, and dancing. His family remembered him as their backbone, a "little big brother" who was a source of strength and support. His father, Michael Gordon, said Deonton had immense potential and didn't deserve the violent end he met.

On the afternoon of Sunday, December 7, 2014, Deonton was standing with friends outside a house in the 14900 block of Fairfield Street, near Livernois Avenue and Fenkell Street on Detroit's west side. At about 3:45 p.m., in broad daylight, his life was abruptly taken. According to his mother, Nina Strickland, who learned the details from police and witnesses, Deonton had gotten into an argument with an unknown man. After a heated exchange, the man drove away, only to park on the next block and return on foot. As Deonton and two friends were preparing to go to the store, the assailant ran up between two vacant houses and opened fire. He shot Deonton in the neck. As Deonton lay on the ground, the gunman walked up to him and shot him again, point-blank in the head. The shooter also shot one of Deonton's friends in the leg and fired at another friend's car as he drove away to escape.

The Detroit Police Department began an investigation into the homicide, but progress was quickly hampered by a lack of cooperation from witnesses. Despite numerous people being present during the shooting, few were willing to come forward with information. This silence from so-called friends deeply wounded Deonton's family, who believed fear and a "no snitch culture" were protecting a killer. His aunt, Renee Strickland-Pruitt, lamented that the witnesses were not showing love for him by staying silent.

In February 2015, two months after the murder, Deonton's grieving family held a press conference at the offices of Crime Stoppers of Michigan to plead for justice. His mother, father, sisters, and cousin spoke through tears, sharing their pain and begging for someone to speak up. "I'm torn up," Nina Strickland said. "He was with a lot of people when this happened, and they all saw it, but his friends don't think enough of him to say 'Let me speak up and say something.'" His sister, Shawnte Gordon, added, "My brother meant so much to so many people." Another sister, DeLisa Strickland, expressed the void his absence created, saying, "I feel incomplete without my brother."

Crime Stoppers of Michigan announced a $2,500 reward for any information that would lead to an arrest in the case. The family, some wearing memorial T-shirts bearing Deonton's image, hoped the reward and their public pleas would encourage someone to finally do the right thing. They provided a phone number and a website for anonymous tips, assuring anyone with knowledge of the crime that their identity would be protected.

Years have passed since Deonton Strickland was killed, and his family is still waiting for answers and for justice to be served. As of the last available updates, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in his murder. The case remains an open and unsolved homicide with the Detroit Police Department. The motive for the argument that preceded the shooting remains officially undetermined. Deonton's name is remembered on online memorials for victims of gun violence, a testament to a promising life cut tragically short and a community still searching for closure.

A reward is still being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information about the murder of Deonton Strickland is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP (1-800-773-2587) or submit a tip online at www.1800speakup.org. Tipsters can remain completely anonymous.