Gunfire along the northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39) near Plymouth Road on Wednesday turned a normal evening drive into a crime scene, shutting down lanes and pushing traffic onto nearby surface streets. Michigan State Police said a vehicle was hit, no one was injured, and the northbound lanes stayed closed while troopers swept the roadway for clues.
Investigation underway
Calls to 911 started coming in this evening about a vehicle that had been shot on the northbound M-39 near Plymouth Road. In response, Michigan State Police shut down the northbound side from Warren Road to Joy Road while troopers worked the scene, according to Metro Detroit News. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the stretch and find alternate routes while investigators searched for shell casings and other evidence. As of the latest update, there were no confirmed victims, and no arrests had been announced.
Second shooting in less than a week
This marks the second reported shooting on the Southfield Freeway in under a week. Troopers were called to a separate incident near Joy Road last Thursday that also led to lane closures, per ClickOnDetroit. That earlier shooting triggered similar detours and another methodical sweep of the freeway while police processed the scene. So far, neither case has produced any publicly identified suspects.
What investigators are asking
On Wednesday, troopers spent hours walking the shoulder and median of M-39, carefully scanning for evidence. Public appeals for witnesses are expected as the investigation continues, as reported in coverage of a previous Joy Road shutdown. In earlier M-39 shooting probes, authorities have urged anyone with dash-cam or cellphone video to contact the MSP Metro South Post or Crime Stoppers so detectives can reconstruct what happened. Investigators also typically pull traffic-camera and license-plate-reader data, a slow but standard process that can keep freeway lanes closed for hours.
Why it matters for drivers
The closure between Warren Road and Joy Road tangled Wednesday evening commutes and forced a lot of frustrated drivers onto already busy surface streets, a reminder of how fast one violent incident can ripple through Metro Detroit traffic. Metro Detroit News has previously detailed a similar I-96 shutdown tied to a freeway shooting in April, underscoring a recurring headache for troopers, traffic managers, and anyone just trying to get home on time. Motorists are urged to expect delays and check MDOT traffic alerts or local news before heading into the area.
Officials say they will release more information as the investigation moves forward. Anyone with tips or video is asked to contact Michigan State Police. This story will be updated as authorities share additional details.
