In what began as a response to a medical call, the life of 26-year-old Damarius Lamont Cochran was tragically cut short on a Saturday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On June 7, 2025, police were dispatched to the Pleasant Motel on 28th Street SE with the initial belief that they were attending to an overdose. Upon arrival, however, first responders discovered that Cochran had been shot.
Despite life-saving efforts at the scene and rapid transport to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The Kent County Medical Examiner later confirmed the death as a homicide.
The investigation into Cochran's death quickly focused on a fellow guest at the motel. Surveillance footage from the property played a crucial role in identifying 32-year-old Deveon Dominique Hayle as the primary suspect. The video reportedly captured an interaction between Hayle and Cochran in the motel's parking lot, culminating in Hayle allegedly pulling out a handgun and shooting Cochran in the back. Following the shooting, Hayle was seen entering the motel with his ex-girlfriend, who was also a resident in a separate room.
Within hours of the shooting, the Grand Rapids Police Department's Special Response Team surrounded the motel. They established contact with the suspect and, after evacuating others in the area for their safety, Hayle surrendered to the authorities without incident. Also taken into custody was Hayle's ex-girlfriend, Alyssia Gordon. During questioning, Gordon reportedly admitted to witnessing Hayle shoot Cochran. A subsequent search of their respective motel rooms led to the discovery of ammunition under the bed in Hayle's room and the firearm, a silver and black handgun, hidden in the toilet tank of Gordon's room. While Hayle acknowledged a 'negative interaction' with Cochran, he denied any involvement in the shooting or possessing a firearm.
Deveon Dominique Hayle has since been charged with open murder and felony weapons charges, including carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm. He is currently being held at the Kent County Correctional Facility. The swift arrest was commended by Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom, who highlighted that the suspect was taken into custody without the use of force, ensuring the safety of a woman and three children associated with the suspect who were also present in the area.
