In the summer of 2015, a wave of violence was sweeping through Flint, Michigan, and on the last day of July, it tragically claimed the life of 20-year-old Tre Quan 'Tre' D. Jones. On that Friday, July 31st, Tre Quan was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting on the city's north side. He was rushed to Hurley Medical Center in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations into the shooting would reveal the heartbreaking reality that Tre Quan was not the intended target; he was an innocent bystander, a young man in the wrong place at the absolute wrong time. His death was a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the violence plaguing the city.
Tre Quan, born in Flint on March 8, 1995, was a beloved son, father of two boys, Kyree and Kylan, and a cherished brother and friend. He was actively involved in his community and his church, Vessel of God Ministry, where he had been baptized. He was part of a teenage gospel group and the Youth Flint Neighborhood drum line, performing at various community events. In an effort to build a future for himself and his family, he was attending the Metro Flint Youth Build program to earn his GED and a building construction certification. He was employed at Qualified Staffing, working at local factories, with his last position being at Premier Packaging in Grand Blanc. He was remembered for his love of family, music, writing poems, and working with his hands.
The senseless death of Tre Quan Jones sent ripples of grief through his family and the Flint community. His funeral was held on Saturday, August 8, 2015, at Sheldon T. Banks Funeral Chapel, where family and friends gathered to mourn the loss of a young life cut short. In the years following his death, his family has remained vocal about the need for an end to the violence that took him from them, participating in community initiatives aimed at supporting other families who have suffered similar tragedies. Despite the efforts of the Flint Police Department and the Michigan State Police to combat the surge in violence, Tre Quan's case grew cold. To date, there have been no significant arrests made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his murder. The lack of resolution has been a source of ongoing pain and frustration for his loved ones, who still await justice for his untimely death.
