A City in Mourning”: 4-Year-Old Samir Grubbs and 18-Year-Old Davyion Killed in East Detroit Park Shooting
DETROIT, MI – June 28, 2025** — What was meant to be a peaceful summer evening turned into unimaginable tragedy Friday night, as gunfire tore through a gathering at a park near Denby High School on Detroit’s east side. In mere seconds, lives were lost, families were shattered, and a community was left reeling.
The victims — 4-year-old Samir Josiah Grubbs and 18-year-old Davyion (last name withheld by request) — were fatally shot during the horrific incident. A 17-year-old boy was also struck by gunfire and remains hospitalized in critical condition. As of Saturday morning, no arrests had been made.
The scene now lies still, marked by flickering candles, stuffed animals, and handwritten messages resting on blood-stained pavement — all desperate attempts to honor two young lives lost far too soon.
A Toddler’s Life Stolen Before It Truly Began
Samir Grubbs was just 4 years old. A bright-eyed, playful child with a contagious laugh, he had only recently learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. He loved superheroes, ice cream, and bedtime stories. On Friday night, he was simply enjoying a summer evening with his family when a hail of bullets ended his life.
He was just a baby, said his grandmother through tears. “He didn’t even know what was happening. He was just playing… and then he was gone.”
His devastated parents could barely speak. Samir’s mother, cradling his favorite Spiderman toy at a makeshift memorial, sobbed: “I brought him here to play, not to die.”
Davyion: A Young Man With a Future
Eighteen-year-old Davyion had recently graduated high school and was preparing to start a job as a mechanic. Friends say he was always fixing bikes, lawnmowers, and anything else he could get his hands on. “He had a gift,” said one neighbor. “He wanted to build a better life, stay out of trouble, and take care of his little brothers.”
His death leaves a hole in the lives of many — not just his family, but in his neighborhood, where he was seen as a protective older brother figure to younger kids on the block.
“He was turning things around,” said his uncle. “He didn’t deserve to die on a basketball court.”
What Happened at the Park?
Witnesses say the shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m., just as families were settling in for a warm evening at the park. Children were playing, adults were chatting, and music was playing when the calm was shattered by gunfire.
Authorities believe the shooting may have been targeted, though Samir and Davyion were not the intended victims. “Too many guns, too little care for who’s around,” said a shaken witness. “These babies didn’t have a chance.”
The 17-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A City Gathers in Grief
As news of the shooting spread, Detroit residents began to gather at the scene. By nightfall, a crowd of mourners stood silently under the glow of streetlights, some hugging, others praying, many crying.
Local faith leaders held a vigil at sunrise, with community members lighting candles and laying teddy bears in honor of Samir. “We are losing too many of our babies,” said Pastor Angela Morris. “We cannot grow numb to this pain.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan issued a statement Saturday morning:
> “The loss of young Samir and Davyion is heartbreaking and unacceptable. No family should have to bury their child because of reckless violence. We are working with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.”
An Outcry for Change
This latest tragedy has reignited urgent calls for action against gun violence in Detroit. Local organizations are mobilizing to provide trauma counseling, community safety forums, and youth engagement programs in the area.
Denby High School, located just blocks from the shooting, will open its counseling center this weekend to support grieving students and families. School officials expressed their sorrow in a written statement:
“We are devastated by the loss of one of our former students and the unimaginable death of a child. Our hearts are with their families.”
In Memory of Samir and Davyion
In just one moment, two promising lives were extinguished. A 4-year-old whose smile could light up a room, and an 18-year-old who was beginning to shape a future for himself.
Detroit mourns — not just for Samir and Davyion, but for every young soul lost to senseless violence.
