In what was supposed to be a night of camaraderie with friends, 18-year-old Derek Scholl's life was tragically cut short. The male teen from Troy, Michigan, was fatally shot on the evening of May 22, 2025, in an apartment in Clawson. Scholl, a senior at Troy College and Career High School, was on the verge of graduation with a future full of promise.
Those who knew him described him as a young man with a gentle soul and a kind heart, who had a gift for making those around him feel valued.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:31 p.m. at a residence near 14 Mile Road and Renshaw Avenue. A group of young adults, including Scholl, were reportedly getting ready to leave for a party. One of the individuals, 21-year-old Tylaj Clark-Spencer of Howell, was said to be carrying a firearm. As he was checking to see if the gun was loaded, it discharged, striking Scholl. Emergency services were called, and Scholl was transported to Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Clark-Spencer and two other individuals, 20-year-old Joshua Peel of Royal Oak and a 17-year-old juvenile, fled the scene. The gun, which was believed to have been stolen from a safe belonging to the juvenile's father, was hidden along with other evidence by the 17-year-old. A manhunt quickly ensued, leading to the apprehension of all three suspects within 24 hours. The death of Derek Scholl marked the first homicide in Clawson for the year.
Following their arrests, the three suspects faced charges related to the fatal shooting. Tylaj Clark-Spencer was charged with manslaughter, receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, and two counts of felony firearms. Joshua Peel and the 17-year-old juvenile were both charged with accessory after the fact to manslaughter. The tragic event left Scholl's family heartbroken, with his grandfather expressing that a hole was left in their home that would never be filled. The family established a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral arrangements and has expressed a desire to create a foundation in Derek's name to educate young adults about the dangers of gun violence.
