The community in Grand Rapids is calling for justice following the tragic shooting that claimed the life of 15-year-old Amillier Penn. The teen was gunned down on June 2 while playing football with friends on the 400 block of Umatilla Street. According to WZZM 13, Penn's death has been ruled a homicide, and he was not armed at the time of the incident.
To apprehend those responsible for the crime, Silent Observer has increased the reward for tips leading to an arrest to $9,200. They bolstered the initial $3,200 offering with a $5,000 donation from an individual, while community efforts contributed an additional $1,000. During the warm weather, when Penn was fatally shot, it was emphasized by Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom, as per WZZM 13 that "Many people were outside." He urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have related information to step forward.
Amillier's father, Corey Penn, underscored the pain of losing his son, as cited by WZZM 13, saying, "My son was a beautiful soul man, just a beautiful soul," said Corey. "Look at that smile right there, lighting up a whole room. He's my best friend." The increased reward hopes to encourage tips, with Silent Observer ensuring anonymity throughout the process, as explained by WWMT.
Amillier's stepfather, Marcus Smith Jr., conveyed the family's grief and the urgency for community members to provide any information they may have during a vigil. Wearing the heartbreak on our sleeves, he stood impassioned, imploring to the community, "You all seen something! You've all seen something! And I need you all to talk, speak up! We need justice. Don’t let that boy just die like that," according to an article from Hoodline. The Grand Rapids Police Department and Silent Observer are both accepting tips, and the community has also rallied around the family with financial support, starting a GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses.
