Fatal Eastern Market shooting was in self-defense, says prosecutor

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that no charges will be filed against a 40-year-old shooter in the fatal shooting of Jalen Welch, 25, and Rayshawn Palmer, 40, in Detroit's Eastern Market on September 15, 2024. The shooter, a lawful CPL holder, acted in self-defense after Welch threatened him with a pistol during a verbal altercation. A single shot fired by the shooter struck Welch and then Palmer, an innocent bystander trying to de-escalate the situation. Worthy concluded that the shooting was justified under Michigan law, as the shooter reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent harm.