Family at vigil for Rayshawn Bryant after Eastern Market fatal shooting: 'Stop the violence'

Vanessa Coleman held her fist high and through loud sobs, cried aloud: "Stop the violence. My son is gone. Jesus."

Surrounding her, hundreds who gathered Monday night in at Eastern Market's Shed 6 for a vigil to honor her son, Rayshawn Bryant, a 40-year-old Detroiter who was shot and killed at that same open-air shed during a Detroit Lions tailgate just one day prior.

Family members told the Free Press that Bryant was trying to break up a fight when he was shot. Another man, who authorities hadn't identified as of Monday night, was also killed. A suspect from Oak Park was arrested but no charges have been announced. Police have not provided details of what went down.

Throughout the crowd, numerous people referred to Bryant as a "jit legend," referring to the Detroit street dance he excelled at, according to those who knew him.

"He would always get the party started," said Angie Williams, 48, of Detroit, who identified herself as a cousin.

More: Cousin of Eastern Market shooting victim: 'You took a person away ... for no reason'

The start of the vigil was fitting for Bryant. There was music, drinks, and his loved ones danced both the Detroit jit and the Detroit hustle.

When those in his family were ready to speak, the tone shifted. The crowd, many in Lions garb, huddled and grew quiet as they listened to many in Bryant's large family speak of his lively spirit and how much they loved him. They cried aloud that they miss him, that they will never stop loving him, and that they'll take care of his four children. They repeated Coleman's cry to put guns down and stop the violence in Detroit.

And before the blue, silver, and white balloons were released — a nod to Bryant's favorite team — Coleman had another challenge for everyone there:

She dared them to dance the jit better than her son could.

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Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at asahouri@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Family at vigil for Rayshawn Bryant after Eastern Market fatal shooting: 'Stop the violence'