Clayton Willis, a 64-year-old male, was a familiar sight to many in Detroit at the intersection of 8 Mile and the Southfield Freeway. A double amputee who used a wheelchair, he was often seen panhandling in the area. His life had already been marked by violence; just months before his death, in the summer of 2023, he had survived being shot in the back of the head in what was described as an unprovoked attack.
That incident was part of a string of violence against panhandlers in that specific area, which police suspected could be related to a turf war. Despite the inherent dangers, Willis continued to occupy his usual spot, seeking to make ends meet after losing his legs to frostbite years earlier.
On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Willis was at his post when a man in a black Dodge Charger pulled up. An argument broke out between Willis and the driver, 28-year-old Joseph Selita of Sterling Heights. The verbal confrontation quickly escalated into a physical struggle over a firearm. It remains unclear who initially possessed the gun, but in the ensuing fight, multiple shots were fired. Both men were struck by the gunfire.
When the violence ceased, Clayton Willis lay on the ground, and Joseph Selita was dying in his car. A tourist driving by witnessed the immediate aftermath and called 911. Selita was pronounced dead at the scene, having been shot in the chest and neck. Willis was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The Detroit Police Department's homicide unit is investigating the incident to determine the motive behind the fatal altercation. As the only other individual involved is also deceased, no arrests have been made. Those who knew Willis from his daily presence at the intersection remembered him as a friendly and grateful man.
