Detroit police are still searching for two individuals in connection with a shooting that injured two people near the city’s annual Ford Fireworks celebration on Monday, June 23.
Authorities have identified 19-year-old Alphonso Cooper Jr. of Romulus as the suspected shooter. Police say Cooper shot a 17-year-old boy — his intended target — and a 22-year-old woman who happened to be nearby. Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“I do not want him to have an enjoyable, stress-free weekend. I want him to know that we are out there,” Police Chief Todd Bettison said at a news conference on Friday, June 27.
Police believe the shooting was not a random act. Bettison said the incident stemmed from a personal dispute between Cooper and the teen victim over a debt of “about $200 and some change.”
Cooper’s alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Markalowe Keith Steen Jr. of Brownstown, is also wanted by police for allegedly helping the suspected shooter escape the scene. Bettison clarified that Steen is not considered a suspect, but a person of interest.
The shooting occurred around 10:04 p.m. near Randolph and Larned streets on June 23 — just a block or so from Spirit of Detroit Plaza and Hart Plaza, where thousands had gathered to watch the fireworks show along the Detroit Riverwalk.
Investigators suspect Cooper may be receiving assistance to avoid arrest.
“At this particular point, we believe that friends and some family members are helping Mr. Cooper to avoid apprehension,” the police chief said. “I believe that he’s hiding in a hotel room somewhere in this area.”
To anyone assisting him, Bettison warned: “If you help him avoid apprehension and help him leave the state of Michigan or anything like that, trust me, I will be contacting the U.S. Attorney and I will use every aspect of law enforcement to hold you accountable as well for aiding and abetting, and every charge that I can possibly bring.”
Police are urging Cooper to turn himself in.
“We have relationships across the state and are utilizing our partnerships statewide and technology in our apprehension efforts,” Detroit police said in a statement. “It is only a matter of time (before) these individuals are in custody.”
A $1,000 reward is available for information leading to arrests. Tipsters can call Detroit police at 313-596-5340 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up, or visit DetroitRewards.tv.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: $200 dispute may have sparked shooting that injured 2 during Detroit fireworks, police say
Reporting by Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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