On the evening of August 2, 2025, Leothis Daniels, a 20-year-old male, tragically lost his life in a shooting on Detroit's west side. The incident unfolded near Stoepel Park, where Daniels and a friend, Julian Hill, who was also 20 years old, had arranged to meet with an acquaintance.
The meeting, purportedly to smoke marijuana, took a violent turn when Joshua Watts, 20, allegedly opened fire on the vehicle occupied by Daniels and Hill.
Both men were struck by the gunfire and immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment of their injuries. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Leothis Daniels succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.
In the wake of the shooting, an investigation was launched by the Detroit Police Department. Their efforts led to the identification of Joshua Watts as the primary suspect. Watts was subsequently apprehended by the Michigan State Police in connection with a separate and unrelated shooting that occurred after the incident involving Daniels.
Following his arrest, Joshua Watts was charged with a litany of felony offenses, including one count of first-degree premeditated murder for the death of Leothis Daniels. Additional charges include causing death by discharging a firearm from a vehicle, causing injury by discharging a firearm from a vehicle, assault with intent to murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and five counts of felony firearm.
