In the quiet of a Monday morning, a visitor to the Proud Lake Recreation Area in Commerce Township, Michigan, made a grim discovery that would unravel a story of senseless violence. On February 16, 2026, the body of 19-year-old Andre Sontay Avant Jr. of Inkster was found near the park's boat launch on Wixom Road. The discovery, made around 9 a.m., immediately launched a homicide investigation led by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
An autopsy would later confirm that the young man had died from a gunshot wound.
Investigators quickly determined that the park was not the scene of the crime itself, but rather the place where Andre's life was tragically left behind. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard indicated that there appeared to be no connection between the victim, the suspects, and the community where his body was found. It is believed that Andre was brought to the area and then murdered in what the sheriff described as a "brutal and senseless act." The case initially presented a significant challenge to law enforcement, who began their work with virtually no information to go on.
A significant breakthrough in the case came within a week of the discovery. A coordinated effort involving the Special Investigations Unit, Computer Crimes Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Team, and the Commerce Township substation led to the identification and arrest of three suspects. All three individuals are 19 years old. Two of the young men are from Romulus, and the third is from Taylor. Two of the suspects were apprehended in Romulus, while the third was taken into custody in Garden City after an attempt to flee. The three men are expected to face charges in connection with the shooting death of Andre Sontay Avant Jr. as the investigation continues to unfold.
