More than 70 shots, 200 people were at fatal Detroit block party, police say

More than 70 shots were fired at a Fourth of July block party in Detroit with more than 200 attendees but an unusually small number of people have spoken up in the slaying there of 23-year-old Jordan Thornhill, police say.

Thornhill, a recent Michigan State University graduate raised in Romulus , was fatally shot about 12:50 a.m. July 5 at the party in the 14000 block of Cherrylawn Street in northwest Detroit. His death came two days before a mass block party shooting in the city left two dead and 19 others injured; police have since committed to cracking down on such block parties that haven’t been logged with the proper authorities.

Thornhill is believed to have been an innocent bystander, and police are asking the public to come forward with any possible information — even if they don’t think it would be relevant, said Detroit Police Lt. Justin Sampson, who works out of the department’s major crimes unit.

There’s been a lack of support from the community with witnesses coming forward, said Sampson.

Family previously told the Free Press that Thornhill visited Detroit and went to the digitally publicized, if unauthorized, block party to see fireworks with friends. He was about to be picked up by his little brother when he was shot and ultimately found by that brother, they said.

The street party took place between Chalfonte Street and Eaton Avenue, police said, and Sampson said it’s believed shots were fired off from multiple locations within the party.

“People were, we believe, firing celebratory shots throughout the night to celebrate the Fourth of July,” Sampson added.

There were no other injuries or property damage reported, he said. Based on the investigation so far, police aren’t seeing any type of gang activity that led to the shooting and no connection to the mass block party shooting.

Thornhill’s friends have been forthcoming with police, but that’s a small group with 200-some people present, Sampson said. There’s also been no social media videos sent in, even with such a large event.

Investigators have tracked down a couple of persons of interest, brought them in and talked to them, but no one has been arrested and charged in the incident, Sampson said.

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Sampson said he didn’t know the reason for the silence, and it’s an unusual amount.

“It's troubling, in my opinion,” he said. “However, if they're worried about anything, they can come through and give tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers, and they can also utilize our Detroit Rewards TV.”

Thornhill’s family has previously called for justice in their son’s death, along with change in the block party culture in the city. The family, too, raised concern that the mass shooting just days later may have been prevented if their son’s case had been better publicized by police and news agencies in the immediate aftermath.

“Ultimately, we want to bring closure to the family and justice to the victim in this situation,” Sampson said.

Those who saw something in person or on social media, those with video footage, or those with any other information are asked to come forward.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800 Speak Up, Detroit Rewards TV or major crimes at 313-596-2260.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: More than 70 shots, 200 people were at fatal Detroit block party, police say