Darwin Harris

In the Dexter neighborhood on Detroit's west side, 19-year-old Darwin Harris Jr. was a familiar and well-liked presence. Known to his friends and family as "DJ," he was remembered as a cool and respectful young man who had a lot of friends in the area where he grew up. He was the kind of person who would hold the door open for people, a small gesture that spoke to his character. His loved ones described him as someone they always cautioned to be careful, a reflection of the dangers in their surroundings.

The evening of Monday, July 21, 2014, was the last time they would see him alive. Around 7:30 p.m., Darwin was inside the Barrel and Bottle party store at the corner of Dexter Avenue and Collingwood Street, a place he often frequented. According to Detroit Police, a man opened the store's door and opened fire, specifically targeting Darwin. He was struck by multiple gunshots to the chest. His uncle had seen him just minutes before the shooting, telling him to be careful. By the time the uncle got home and upstairs, the family was receiving a frantic phone call and rushing to the hospital.

Paramedics transported Darwin to Henry Ford Hospital, but the injuries were too severe. The 19-year-old Black man was pronounced dead, his life abruptly ended by a burst of violence. The shooting left his family and friends in shock and profound grief. They struggled to understand how a young man could lose his life so tragically. The day after his death, the party store was open for business as usual, a fact that pained those who knew him, who felt his loss deserved a more significant acknowledgment from the community.

The Detroit Police Department began an investigation into the homicide. Detectives learned there was surveillance video from inside the party store, but it was not clear what the footage showed or if it would be helpful in identifying the shooter. In the immediate aftermath of the crime, police did not have a description of the suspect and made no arrests. Those who knew Darwin believed he was targeted, as he was not the only person on the corner at the time of the shooting.

A funeral service for Darwin was held on August 1, 2014, at the O. H. Pye, III Funeral Home, where his family and friends gathered to mourn their loss. In the years since his murder, the case has grown cold, and justice has remained elusive. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made, leaving a painful void for a family still seeking answers. The investigation into Darwin "DJ" Harris's death remains open. Authorities have previously asked for the public's help, and anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.