On a summer evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 15-year-old Amillier 'Milli' Caezhar Penn was enjoying a game of football with his friends in an empty lot. This sense of normalcy was tragically shattered on June 2, 2023, when the young male was chased down and fatally shot multiple times. The brazen nature of the attack, which occurred in the 400 block of Umatilla Street SE, left the community in shock and mourning for a life cut short.
Amillier, who was unarmed, was pronounced deceased at the scene, leaving his loved ones to grapple with an unimaginable loss. He was remembered by his father as a quiet but humorous young man who loved gaming and spending time with his friends and family.
The investigation into Amillier's death was a painstaking process that spanned nearly a year. Grand Rapids Police detectives tirelessly followed every lead and tip, but were initially met with a wall of silence from the numerous witnesses present at the scene. The lack of cooperation frustrated investigators and delayed justice for Amillier's family. To encourage individuals to come forward, a reward for information was offered and later increased, and a billboard featuring Amillier's picture was erected with the plea, 'DO YOU KNOW WHO MURDERED ME?' The case even garnered national attention when it was featured on a television documentary series, which helped to revitalize interest and ultimately led to crucial witnesses providing information.
A breakthrough in the case came with the arrest of 17-year-old Cartiyae Pascal. At the time of the shooting, Pascal was 16 years old. Investigators revealed that the motive behind the tragic event stemmed from what was described as 'typical teenage boy stuff,' which had escalated from previous fistfights between the two teenagers. Evidence gathered by detectives included video of a prior fight and digital evidence found on Pascal's phone, which included photos of him with firearms. Pascal was formally charged as an adult with open murder and a felony weapons charge. At the time of his arraignment for Penn's murder, he was already incarcerated for a separate, unrelated shooting. The case against him was bound over to circuit court after a judge determined there was enough evidence for it to proceed to trial.
