In the early morning hours of December 26, 2020, a day that should have been filled with holiday cheer, 18-year-old Casey Willis was fatally shot on Cardoni Street on Detroit's east side. A freshman at Wayne State University, Casey was a young woman with a bright future, described by her family as intelligent, amazing, and a leader. She was a graduate of University Prep Academy and was not only pursuing her college education but also working two jobs.
On that fateful morning, at
approximately 1:55 a.m., Casey was sitting in a silver 2017 Honda Civic with a friend. She had just delivered some food to her friend's home. It was then that two unidentified men approached the vehicle. One of the suspects, armed with a long gun, opened fire, striking and killing the young woman. Her friend, an 18-year-old male, was not injured in the attack. The suspects were seen fleeing the scene in what was believed to be a Chevrolet Impala.
The news of Casey's death was a devastating blow to her family, particularly as it occurred on her mother's birthday. Her family remembers her as a loving and caring individual with a stubborn yet endearing personality. They have been left to grapple with the senseless violence that cut short a promising life. In the wake of the tragedy, the community came together to remember Casey, holding a vigil where purple and white balloons were released in her honor.
Despite the passage of time, no arrests have been made in connection with Casey Willis's murder. Detroit Police have been searching for the two suspects, and Crime Stoppers of Michigan has offered a cash reward for any information that leads to an arrest. The family continues to plead with the public for any information that could bring them justice and closure. They, along with community members, have held press conferences to keep Casey's story in the public eye, hoping that someone will come forward with the information needed to solve her case.
