Federal Agents Join Investigation Into 'Gang Related' Shooting That Killed Baby
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee said federal agents are now involved in the investigation into the murder of a 9-month-old baby boy.
Delric Miller was shot early Monday morning after someone open fired multiple times at a house on Greenview Street on the city's west side. He later died at the hospital. Police say Miller was one of about ten people in the home. No one else was injured.
Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950 Tuesday morning, Godbee said investigators are following up on tips and have intensified patrols in the area of Southfield Freeway and Tireman.
Listen to the full interview:
Detroit Police Chief Discusses 'Gang Related' Shooting
Godbee would not say if there were gang members inside the house, although he has said the shooting is gang related.
"We have narrowed down, however, who we believe may have been the target of the inexplicable about of gunfire that went into that house. Secondly, we have established what we believe to be a gang nexus relative to the shooting," said Godbee. "The investigative process that we are making ... I am satisfied with the investigative progress."
Godbee said what is "extremely important" in this case is citizen involvement.
"Typically groups like this, they telegraph what they're going to do, they've spoken to somebody. At 4:20 a.m. in the morning, somebody slipped out of somebody's house to go engage in this conduct," he said.
Godbee said police need community involvement to "close the loop."
"It has to be resolved within the community to have a different mindset towards what is acceptable in the city of Detroit and what is not. It is not acceptable at all to engage in gang activity, it is not acceptable sell narcotics, I mean, all these things that are culturally starting to become acceptable in urban settings, we have to set a very definitive, strong tone that it is not acceptable," he said.
Godbee said nearly 40 shots fired into the home, and they believe an AK-47 rifle was used in the attack.
Crime Stoppers is taking anonymous calls at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Anyone who wants to talk with Detroit Police Homicide investigators can call 313-596-2260. A $5,000 reward is being offered.
