Black / African American Donny Harper, age 35, was a resident of Detroit, Michigan, known to his friends and community by nicknames such as "Harpo," "5 Larry," and "Sleepy Codeiney." A father and aspiring rapper, he was at his home on the city's east side in the early morning hours of February 3, 2020. The residence was located in the 2500 block of LeMay Street, near the intersection of St.
Jean Street and Vernor Highway.
Around 1:30 a.m., Harper was inside the house with several children when a knock came at the front door. Upon opening it, he was confronted by an unknown individual who immediately opened fire. The gunfire struck Harper, inflicting fatal injuries. During the chaos of the home invasion, the family dog attempted to chase the assailant but was also shot and killed. The children present in the home at the time were physically unharmed but were left to witness the aftermath of the violence.
Relatives who were upstairs heard the gunshots and rushed down to find Harper wounded. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but he succumbed to his injuries. The shooter fled the location before authorities arrived, disappearing into the night.
In the months following the homicide, the Detroit Police Department appealed to the public for assistance, stating they had no description, photographs, or video evidence of the suspect. As of late 2020, investigators were still seeking tips from the community to identify the person responsible for the double killing of Harper and the family pet, but no arrests or charges have been publicly reported in connection with the case.
