Deontae Mitchell
Deontae Mitchell
Crystal Mitchell describes her son Deontae, 13, as expressive, respectful, always willing to help people out and a good student who attended Hamilton Academy on the city's east side, the Detroit Free Press reports.
"Everybody knew him and loved him," she says in an interview with Matt Helms of the Freep.
She explained that Deontae and his cousin went to Nino's Market at 15901 E. Warren Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m. to get a pop or a juice. There was a large group of young people at the store, many of whom Deontae knew from the neighborhood, the Freep reported.
She said the kids saw a man pull up, get out of his car, urinate on the side of the building and drop money from his pocket. It was $80, authorities say.
"All the kids saw it, took it and divided it," Mitchell said Friday, the Freep reports.
The man went into the store to buy something, realized his money was gone, pulled out his gun and went outside, she continued. The kids scattered. The man grabbed Deontae and threw him in the car. Two days later, he was found dead in a field on the city's east side.
Police arrested Gregory Walker, 45, and a female companion Thursday morning at a Toledo hotel . Ernest Coleman, 30, was arrested later that day at home in Detroit, the Freep reports. A third suspect, Roy Portis, 51, turned himself in Friday.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan issued a statement:
I want to express my most heartfelt condolences to the family of young Deontae Mitchell. No child, no family should have to experience such an unspeakable tragedy. Our city has endured the loss of too many of our children as a result of senseless violence and it has to stop. The incomprehensible circumstances of Deontae's death make it even more painful for this community. Detroiters will do what we always do and wrap our arms around this grieving family.
