On September 25, 2015, a violent incident occurred in Saginaw, Michigan, resulting in the untimely death of Makiel Swift, a 40-year-old Black male who had deep ties to the community. Known affectionately as "Mikey" by friends and family, Swift was a Saginaw native who had spent a significant portion of his life in Oakland, California, before returning to his hometown. He was a multifaceted individual who worked as a cook at the Magic Kitchen and also utilized his skills as a barber in his spare time. His background included attending Houghton Elementary in Saginaw before moving to the West Coast, where he graduated from McClymonds High School in 1994 and attended Contra Costa Community College, participating in football and track and field.
The events unfolding on that Friday in late September cut Swift’s life short. Law enforcement authorities responded to reports of a shooting in the city, where they discovered Swift had been struck by gunfire. Despite emergency efforts, he succumbed to his injuries, marking another tragedy in a string of gun violence incidents affecting the area during that period. The loss resonated deeply with his family, including his children who resided in California, his parents, and his siblings, as well as his extended network of relatives and friends in both Michigan and California.
Following the shooting, the Saginaw Police Department launched a homicide investigation to identify those responsible. Detectives worked the case and were able to make progress shortly after the crime occurred. Reports indicated that a male suspect was taken into custody in connection with the shooting death. Prosecutors subsequently authorized charges against the individual arrested, moving the case into the judicial system. Swift was laid to rest after a service at Paradise Funeral Chapel, remembered by his loved ones as a loving father, son, and brother who had returned home to be with his family.
