GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After four separate shootings on Saturday, Sept. 21, the Grand Rapids Police Department continues to investigate. Two people were killed early in the morning and two more were injured late at night in the violence.
Sunday, a family member identified Markese Boyd, a 29-year-old musician, as one of the victims of Saturday morning's fatal shootings. Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack also posted about Boyd, morning the loss of his friend.
Mary Tyler, Boyd's aunt, said "our heart[s] are sad by the loss of Markese at the early age of 29." A GoFundMe has been organized by Tyler to raise funds for funeral expenses.
On Monday, GRPD identified the other victim as Terry Junior Wilks, a 64-year-old man who was killed in the shooting near Diamond Avenue SE and Sigsbee Street SE.
Police gave an update Sunday, saying they are still investigating all four shootings, but they said cooperation from victims and witnesses has "been minimal." They are urging the public to come forward with any information they can offer.
"These crimes are completely unacceptable in our community," said Police Chief Eric Payne in a statement. "Our agency will continue to address this violence and investigate it thoroughly, but we can't do it alone."
Willie Patterson, community engagement director for the community action group LINC Up, says the organization is urging residents to cooperate with the police during the investigation.
"If you see something wrong, say something. It’s not a bad thing to help someone who has been wronged. It’s so imperative that the violence must stop. The communities deserve peace and everyone deserves to live in a place where they feel safe," Patterson said.
Patterson said he believes the reason behind the community's hesitation stems from fear of coming forward as well as a strained relationship between the residents and police.
"We’ve had a couple of police officers lose their jobs for discrimination and violence towards residents, so that would automatically create a tension that it’s not easily trusted when you see that happening, and it’s not easy to make those calls when you feel like the same thing can happen to you," he explained.
However, Patterson hopes the relationship can grow and said it will take both the community and police working together to curb the violence.
"Communities don’t want violence in their areas. Communities don’t welcome violence. They don’t want violence on their blocks. They want things to change," he said.
Detectives from GRPD are following up on leads and from the two homicides and other violent crimes. The recent events, the department said in a statement, stressed the importance of speaking up when information is known.
The statement said the department is utilizing every tool at their disposal and are working diligently to find those responsible.
Anyone with information about any of the crimes is encouraged to contact GRPD at 616-456-3400 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
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