SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Southfield Police Chief said there’s not enough evidence to file charges in connection to the deadly shooting of a 15-year-old at an Oakland County hotel in February 2024.
15-year-old Tyler Johnson was shot in the head on Feb. 11, 2024, at the Westin Hotel in Southfield. He died days later from his injuries.
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In May 2024, Johnson’s family spoke with Local 4 regarding Johnson’s death and pleaded for answers, as no one, at the time, was charged in connection to his murder.
According to Johnson’s family, he was at a sleepover at the hotel when he was shot in the head with a stolen Glock handgun.
“I can not sleep. I can not eat. My son will not rest in peace because justice has not prevailed,” Tomika Alexander, Johnson’s mother, said in May 2024. “I don’t understand how a sleepover could have led to my son being murdered and no one knows who did it.”
Sources at the time said an adult may have been responsible for bringing multiple unsecured weapons to the room.
According to police, two teens were found in the hotel room with Johnson when they arrived at the scene.
Police found two guns on one of the teens, one of which was believed to have been used to shoot Johnson.
After further investigation, police learned there were a total of five teens in the hotel room, including Johnson, at the time of the shooting. They were all reportedly close friends.
Police held a press conference on Feb. 19, 2025, nearly a year after the deadly shooting, to provide an update on the case.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said officers tried to interview the teens with parents present but were unable to get any information.
Barren said they believe they know who the suspect is, but there isn’t enough evidence to present to the prosecutor’s office. No witnesses have given statements on what happened in the hotel room the night of the shooting.
“We’re ready, but we have to have an eyewitness,” said Barren.
Barren also said they have hearsay evidence that leads them to believe who the suspect is, but hearsay evidence is inadmissible in court.
When asked what the police department can do in the meantime, Barren said waiting until the teens turn 18 years old would be the best option because they no longer need parental supervision during an interview.
You can watch the full press conference held on Feb. 19, 2025, regarding the deadly shooting below:
