In the early morning hours of a Detroit day, a night out for Donae Wilbert, a 27-year-old female, ended in a devastating act of violence that cut her life short. Remembered by her family as a vibrant soul who was always dancing and smiling, Wilbert was a mother with a promising future that included an impending marriage and a new job on the horizon.
On the night of the incident, Wilbert had been enjoying time with friends, a prelude to a tragedy that would soon unfold.
The group made a late-night stop at the Hollywood Coney Island on Grand River Avenue. It was here that a dispute broke out between other patrons. True to her compassionate nature, as her family described, Wilbert attempted to de-escalate the conflict, encouraging those involved to go home peacefully.
After her attempt to quell the argument, Wilbert sought to remove herself from the situation and walked out of the restaurant toward her car. In the parking lot, the conflict took a fatal turn. One of the individuals from the dispute followed her and opened fire, striking her. Donae Wilbert was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Detroit Police Department launched an investigation, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the person responsible for Wilbert's death. Authorities were reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant in the hopes of gathering more evidence. As of the available reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Wilbert's family has been left to grapple with the senseless loss of a woman they described as a bright light who would give the shirt off her back to help someone in need.
