1 arrested, 1 sought in fatal shooting near downtown Detroit protest

Two people have been charged in connection with a fatal shooting last month near a protest in downtown Detroit, police confirmed Thursday.

One of the suspects, identified by investigators as Omoni Bryant, 22, has been arrested. A warrant has been issued for Tyjon Casaya-Scott Hites, 19, who remains at large, Detroit police Chief James Craig told The Detroit News.

Investigators believe Hites was the gunman and Bryant acted as an accomplice, Sgt. Nicole Kirkwood said.

The incident was reported around 11:30 p.m. May 29 near Congress and Randolph.

Demonstrators in Detroit and nationwide were protesting police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd, who died while a police officer held a knee on his neck during an arrest. The shooting was not connected, Craig said.

Investigators believe Bryant and Hites were in one group while the 21-year-old victim was in another, Kirkwood said.

An argument escalated between the groups, she said. Hites, police believe, fired shots that struck the victim and then fled. Initially, officers had said Hites had approached a Dodge Caliber where the victim was with his companions and opened fire. 

The victim, identified as an Eastpointe resident, fled but collapsed and later died from his injuries, Kirkwood said.

Following an investigation, a warrant was submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, which issued charges, police said.

Bryant was arrested Monday, Kirkwood said. He was arraigned Thursday on two counts: accessory after the fact to a felony and felony firearm. Bond was set at $10,000. 

Hites has been charged with homicide-murder first degree-premeditated and felony firearm, police said. Police seek tips to find him.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Detroit Police Department Homicide Unit at (313) 596-2260. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. 

Staff Writer George Hunter contributed