Detroit, MI — A heartbreaking scene unfolded on Detroit’s east side Friday evening as gunfire shattered a peaceful gathering at a park near Denby High School, leaving two young lives tragically cut short and a community reeling in grief.
Family members have identified the victims of the June 27 shooting as 4-year-old Samir Josiah Grubbs and 18-year-old Davyion. A 17-year-old male was also shot and remains hospitalized in serious condition. The shooting occurred near the intersection of Kelly and Morang, just steps away from where children often play and families gather.
According to the Detroit Police Department, an argument broke out in the park and quickly escalated into gunfire. Two individuals have been taken into custody, but the investigation remains active as detectives work to piece together the events that led to this senseless violence.
Samir Josiah Grubbs was just four years old. He came to the park on a summer evening to do what children do best: play, laugh, and live in the moment. But his innocence and joy were stolen in an instant.
His aunt, Bernice Shanon, posted a heartbreaking message on social media:
“Departed this life too soon, he just wanted to play. Please say his name: Samir Josiah Grubbs. Not just the 4-year-old. Gone too soon. Forever 4.”
Her words echo the anguish of a family — and a community — who must now grieve the loss of a child who had barely begun his life. Photos of Samir, shared by loved ones, show a bright-eyed boy with an infectious smile, full of curiosity and light. His death is a gut-wrenching reminder of the devastating toll gun violence continues to take on the youngest members of our society.
Eighteen-year-old Davyion, remembered as fearless, kind, and courageous, was also killed in the shooting. But his final act was one of selflessness. According to his mother, in the chaos of bullets flying, Davyion shielded a friend from harm, pushing them out of the way and taking the gunfire to his own chest.
“They started shooting and my son pushed his friend out the way and took the bullets to the chest… he saved his friend’s life,” she wrote. “My son always was saving the world.”
Her pain, raw and devastating, is mixed with pride — her son died a hero. Davyion’s bravery is being honored by many, including Toson Knight, his former dean at Denby High School.
“Davyion was one of my students. He rode his skateboard to school, unbothered by what anyone thought. That was him — fearless, free, and always true to himself,” Knight said in tribute.
It’s clear that Davyion was more than just a victim of violence — he was a young man with promise, heart, and character, whose actions reflected a deep sense of responsibility to those around him.
Reverend W.J. Rideout III, a longtime community leader and pastor, spoke out with visible grief and frustration.
“In all my 33 years of pastoring, this is the 3rd baby I have to eulogize. The violence has to stop. Innocent children are falling due to senseless killing.”
His words speak not only to the personal loss of those involved, but to the systemic, ongoing crisis facing many urban communities. Parks, schools, and neighborhoods — places that should offer safety — are becoming scenes of violence, robbing families of their future and children of their lives.
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The identities of the suspects have not yet been released, and detectives are working to determine what led to the confrontation.
Community activists and residents have begun organizing vigils and support for the families, calling for both justice and long-term solutions to the cycles of violence that continue to plague Detroit’s neighborhoods.
As candles are lit and prayers are spoken, the names Samir Josiah Grubbs and Davyion are etched into the hearts of all who mourn them. Their lives — one just beginning, the other entering adulthood — were filled with hope, potential, and love. Now, their loss must become a catalyst for change.
For those who knew and loved them, Samir and Davyion will not be forgotten. They are not just statistics. They are sons, friends, and heroes. Their lives mattered.
