Christopher Stinson was fatally shot in May 2013 on Detroit’s west side while walking home from a gas station, leaving behind two young sons. More than a decade later, his killing remains unsolved, and his family is still pushing for answers. Yesterday, local outlets and Crime Stoppers renewed a public plea for tips as detectives continue searching for the person who pulled the trigger.
FOX 2 Detroit posted a short video update yesterday, revisiting the case and again urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. The station notes that Stinson was shot one time and that his youngest son is now a teenager. As reported by FOX 2 Detroit, authorities say few public leads have emerged since the 2013 slaying and the department is still actively seeking tips.
Case details and records
Databases that track unsolved homicides list Stinson’s killing as open and place the incident near Lahser and Grand River. The Project Cold Case database records a May 2013 incident in that area and lists the case as unsolved. That public entry underscores that, more than a decade later, no arrest has been publicly reported.
Family plea
Stinson’s relatives have repeatedly turned to the public, asking anyone who knows something to speak up. "I want to know who killed my dad and I want y'all to figure out who did it," his widow, Toya, told FOX 2 Detroit in earlier coverage, noting that their sons have grown up without their father. The family has attended Crime Stoppers events and joined in public appeals, hoping that renewed attention will jog someone’s memory and prompt a call.
How to help
People with information can call Crime Stoppers’ 1-800-SPEAK-UP line or submit a tip online. Crime Stoppers says callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. See Crime Stoppers of Michigan for details on the tipline and submission options. The Detroit Police Department also posts case notices and asks witnesses to contact its Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260 or to use the city’s DetroitRewards.tv portal, as outlined on City of Detroit public pages.
Why this matters
Detroit has one of the most persistent unsolved-homicide caseloads among large U.S. cities, a pattern highlighted in national reporting that examined arrest rates. A Washington Post investigation found that many killings go without arrests and that Black victims are disproportionately likely to have unsolved cases, context the Stinson family points to when urging neighbors to come forward. Investigators say a single tip can change the trajectory of a cold case, and the Stinsons say they remain hopeful that someone, somewhere, is finally ready to talk.
