DETROIT — The family of a man who was shot and killed in downtown Detroit after the Detroit Lions football game last year is suing three companies.
The shooting happened at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2024 in Detroit's Eastern Market Shed 6 neighborhood, at Riopelle and Wilkins streets near Ford Field, police said.
Investigators believe roughly five men got into a fight at the popular tailgate spot after the Detroit Lions game when one of them pulled out a gun and fired shots.
Rayshawn Palmer, 40, and Jalen Welch, 25, were shot to death, police said.
Palmer's family is now suing Eastern Market Corporation, Bullseye Event Group, LLC and Shield Security Consultants and Protection Services, LLC, accusing them of negligence that contributed to his death.
The lawsuit says the companies knew about a history of fights and violence at the tailgating events, but did not do enough to prevent the shooting that killed Palmer.
The family is seeking financial damages, but the exact amount is unclear.
"Rayshawn Palmer’s six children will now go through life without their father because of an act of violence that we believe was preventable," a statement from Morgan and Morgan, attributed to founder John Morgan and attorney David Stechnow said. "Mr. Palmer’s family has been absolutely devastated and will never be made whole again, but they are seeking justice and accountability in hopes that no one else has to endure the type of loss that they have."
Patched reached out to Eastern Market for comment and will update this story when we hear back.
No charges were filed in the shooting that left Palmer and 25-year-old Jalen Welch dead. Prosecutors said the 40-year-old shooter acted in self-defense. They also said the shooter wasn't involved in the fight, but was nearby.
As the fight escalated, police said Welch walked into the middle of the fight and approached the shooter while holding a handgun in a "threatening manner." That's when police said the shooter pulled his gun from his waist and fired one shot, which struck Welch in the head.
The bullet went through Welch's head and hit Palmer in the head, police said
Welch was shot dead at the scene, while Palmer was taken to a nearby hospital where he died the next day, police said
Police said Palmer was an innocent bystander trying to calm down the situation between the shooter and Welch.