A tragic turn of events at a funeral repast in Detroit on the evening of Friday, February 27, 2026, resulted in the death of 22-year-old Haja Thornton-Cedano. The young woman, a resident of Kentucky, was in Michigan to mourn a friend who had recently died in a car crash. The gathering, held at the J5 Legacy Event Center on Sherwood Street, was attended by approximately 100 people and was shattered by gunfire that erupted in the parking lot at around 8 p.m.
In the ensuing chaos, four
people were shot. Haja Thornton-Cedano and a man in his 30s were fatally wounded, while two other individuals sustained injuries. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the sudden violence at a place of mourning left the community in shock. Detroit Police responded to a chaotic scene and have been actively investigating the incident, with the assistance of the Michigan State Police, FBI, and ATF. They have appealed to the public for any information, urging the numerous witnesses present at the repast to come forward.
Haja Thornton-Cedano was remembered by her father, Jose Cedano, as a vibrant person who always had a smile on her face. He described her as a lover of cooking and fashion, and a talented singer who wrote her own music. She was the mother of a three-year-old daughter. Her father, while grieving, has been in contact with detectives for updates on the investigation. According to him, one person was arrested in connection with the shooting but was later released after 72 hours. He also stated that authorities have a warrant out for another individual they are looking to apprehend. However, as of the latest available information, no definitive suspects have been publicly named or charged in the ongoing investigation into the shooting that cut short the life of Haja Thornton-Cedano.
