Deandre Campbell, a 36-year-old Black male, found his life tragically cut short in the early morning hours of July 20, 2025. He was attending a large memorial gathering in the 3800 block of Wilson Avenue on the south side of Lansing, Michigan, when gunfire erupted. At approximately 3:45 a.m., law enforcement officers responded to reports of the shooting and discovered Campbell with a gunshot wound under his arm.
First responders rendered aid at the scene, and he was quickly transported to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, Deandre Campbell was pronounced dead.
The shooting occurred amidst a sizable crowd that had gathered for the memorial, creating a complex and challenging crime scene for investigators. The Lansing Police Department immediately launched what they described as a 'very, very active' investigation to determine the events that led to the fatal shooting. Given the number of people present, additional law enforcement agencies were called in to assist with securing the area and gathering evidence. In the days that followed, detectives worked tirelessly, canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and any available information that could lead them to a suspect. The department released images to the public, urging anyone who was at the memorial to come forward with details that might aid their investigation.
Their persistence paid off, and a breakthrough in the case came nearly two months later. On September 19, 2025, authorities announced that they had made an arrest in connection with Campbell's death. Thirty-year-old Montez Hopkins was taken into custody and subsequently arraigned in 54-A District Court on September 22. The Ingham County Prosecutor's Office filed a series of charges against Hopkins, including homicide, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, carrying a concealed weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm, along with three counts of felony firearm. Hopkins, who was on parole for a prior firearm conviction from 2021, was also charged as a habitual offender, third offense. At his arraignment, bond was denied, and he was returned to prison on a parole violation. A probable cause conference was scheduled for October 2, with a preliminary examination set for October 9, as the legal process to bring justice for Deandre Campbell began.
