Dontae Deshawn Norris, a 20-year-old male, was a promising young man from Detroit, Michigan, whose life was tragically cut short. A 2012 graduate of Cody High School, he was actively involved in the JROTC program, which ignited his passion for the military. Following his graduation, Dontae joined the Army Reserve National Guard in 2012 and also attended Wilberforce University. Known for his kind and protective nature, he was described as mature and wise beyond his years, always planning for a future that included seeing the world. He was a hardworking and independent individual, having held a job since the age of 14.
On the evening of July 28, 2014, Dontae's life came to a violent end in the parking lot of the Superland Market on Schoolcraft Road in Detroit. At approximately 8:30 p.m., as he was getting out of his car, he was confronted by two individuals in what prosecutors describe as a carjacking. One of the men, identified as Devon Berry, allegedly pointed a gun at Dontae while announcing the robbery.
As the two assailants, Berry and Eric Chandler, entered Dontae's vehicle and began to drive away, Dontae courageously jumped onto the car and held onto the roof. It was at this moment that Berry is alleged to have fatally shot Dontae. He sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Reports suggested that Dontae may have worked at the Superland Market with at least one of the suspects and that the shooting might have stemmed from a prior argument.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, two suspects were identified and apprehended. Eric Chandler, 19, and Devon Berry, 21, were subsequently charged with felony murder and first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the death of Dontae Deshawn Norris. In addition to the murder charges, Berry also faced a charge of felony firearm. The charges were brought forth by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, marking the beginning of the legal proceedings in a case that took a young life filled with promise.
