DETROIT, MI – In a tragedy that has shaken the city of Detroit, two young men have been formally charged in connection with a senseless act of gun violence that claimed the lives of a 4-year-old child and an 18-year-old man, and left another teenager wounded. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the charges on July 3, 2025, against Brandon Lee Ware, 18, and William McKinley Wheeler, 19—both residents of Detroit—for their roles in the June 27th double homicide at Skinner Playfield, a neighborhood park located near Denby High School on Detroit’s east side.

According to investigators, the deadly shooting stemmed from an altercation that began earlier in the day on a Detroit city bus. Witnesses reported that someone pulled a ski mask off of Ware’s head, sparking tension and confrontation. In response, Ware allegedly exited the bus and traveled to a residence on Riad Street to retrieve a firearm.

Later that same day, Ware returned to the area as a passenger in a pickup truck driven by Wheeler. Police say the pair then drove to Skinner Playfield on Dutchess Street, where Ware allegedly opened fire from the vehicle, targeting a group of people he believed were connected to the bus incident.

The shooting left devastating consequences in its wake:

• Davlyon Shalmonson-Bey, 18, was fatally shot. Authorities confirmed he was unarmed and not an active participant in the earlier dispute.
• Samir Josiah Grubbs, just 4 years old, was also struck by gunfire and killed. Samir had been at the park with his family, enjoying a summer afternoon, completely unaware of the violence about to unfold.
• A 17-year-old boy was also shot in the leg and survived the attack. He was treated for his injuries and is expected to recover physically, though the emotional trauma of the event will undoubtedly linger.

Ware and Wheeler reportedly fled the scene in the pickup truck, triggering a multi-agency investigation led by Detroit Police, who worked diligently to identify and track down the suspects. Both men were arrested on July 2, 2025, and have now been formally charged.

Charges Filed:

Both Brandon Ware and William Wheeler face the following charges:

• Two counts of First-Degree Murder (punishable by life in prison without parole)
• One count of Assault with Intent to Murder
• Additional charges are likely, including firearm-related felonies and conspiracy

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy condemned the violence, calling the case “a heartbreaking example of reckless and retaliatory violence that shattered lives and tore families apart.”

“A 4-year-old child who should have been playing safely in a park is now gone,” Worthy said. “This act of cowardice and cruelty has not only ended two young lives but forever changed countless others.”

The families of both victims are left grappling with unbearable grief. Samir Grubbs’ family described him as a bright, energetic child who loved superheroes, playing with his siblings, and had just learned to ride a bike. Davlyon Shalmonson-Bey was remembered as a promising young man, known for his smile, kindness, and passion for music.

Community members and city leaders are demanding justice and calling for more to be done to address the surge in youth-related gun violence that has plagued Detroit and other urban centers across the country.

In the wake of the shooting, residents have created a growing memorial at Skinner Playfield—balloons, stuffed animals, candles, and handwritten notes honoring the young lives lost.

Ware and Wheeler are expected to be arraigned in the coming days. They remain in custody without bond.

Anyone with additional information about the shooting is encouraged to contact Detroit Police Homicide Division or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

As Detroit mourns, the names Samir Josiah Grubbs and Davlyon Shalmonson-Bey will be remembered not just as victims, but as beloved sons, brothers, and friends—young lives taken far too soon in a tragedy that should never have happened.