DETROIT (WXYZ) – Three people are dead and four others were injured after a fight turned deadly at a home on Detroit’s west side near Perst Street and Eaton Avenue. Community Violence Intervention leaders say the dispute may have started over a cell phone. Detroit police say a ShotSpotter alert came in shortly after 7:20 a.m. Sunday, followed by a call to 911. Officers arrived within four minutes and found three men with fatal gunshot wounds. Four other victims, two men and two women, were taken to private hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Watch Faraz Javed’s video report below: 3 dead, 4 injured in shooting on Detroit’s west side linked to cellphone dispute Community Violence Intervention leader Tamara Smith said the outcome of the dispute was preventable. “This is a mass shooting that happened because of something simple: a cell phone. We have three deaths, four non-fatal injuries, but a total of seven due to a cell phone,” Smith said. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison described how the violence unfolded. “A fight occurred, an altercation occurred, and as a result, the individuals decided to resolve it with gun violence,” Bettison said. One of the victims has been identified by family as 45-year-old Ansley Harris Jr. His cousin, Janelle Harris, said she had seen him just days before he was killed. “I love him. You need anything, he said, it’s good,” Janelle Harris said. Photo provided by the family An undated courtesy photo of Ansley Harris Jr. Janelle Harris said the family is committed to honoring him. “Ansley, we love you. And we’re saying goodbye, beautiful,” he said. Neighbors say trouble had been brewing at the home before Sunday’s shooting. One resident, who asked to be identified only as Alex and not appear on camera for fear of retaliation, described what he had observed in the days before the shooting. “Early in the morning, loud noise, a lot of cars, a lot of people coming and going, a lot of fighting,” he said. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, Mayor Mary Sheffield and other leaders provide information in the video below: Detroit Police Chief and leaders speak after mass shooting Alex said the situation had been escalating for at least two days and that neighbors had already contacted authorities. “The last two days it’s been a problem and a lot of us have called,” Alex said. During a news conference, Bettison said investigators believe the home was operating as an after-hours venue, and told reporters to imagine a strip club. He said management had a history of calls for service. “Since the beginning of this year, we have received seven calls for service to this address. I will let you know that I also had an investigation at this address,” the chief said. Alex said he was sitting on his porch Sunday morning when he heard the situation escalate before the shooting began. “I heard screams between several women, it sounded like, and then louder, louder and then they turned into threats, so I’m going to kill you, I’m going to shoot you, this and that,” he said. Alex said he then heard approximately 12 gunshots fired in quick succession. “I heard maybe 12. It was one after another very fast,” he said. Smith said the loss of life was unnecessary. “Physical violence happens. Gun violence doesn’t have to happen. This could have been handled in a completely different way when people could have gone home,” Smith said. public. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.—————This story was reported on air by a journalist and was converted to this platform with the help of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
