GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Three years after 16-year-old Cahari Walton was fatally shot in East Grand Rapids, the suspected gunman now faces charges.
The Grand Rapids Police have been handling the bulk of the investigation. They say 21-year-old Deliquan Willis has been charged with open murder and felony firearm. He was already in state prison on separate criminal charges.
Walton was shot near Lake Drive and Plymouth Avenue in January 2023.
Here is more information from a GRPD news release:
On January 25, 2023, Cahari Walton, aged 16, was found by East Grand Rapids police officers in the area of Lake Drive SE and Plymouth Road near Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital with a gunshot wound. Lifesaving measures were attempted but Walton was pronounced dead.
While jurisdictionally the case remained in East Grand Rapids, as the investigation unfolded, there was enough evidence tying the case to Grand Rapids that GRPD detectives eventually took over the bulk of the investigative work.
Earlier today, Dellquan Willis, aged 21, was arraigned on charges of open murder and felony firearm. Willis was already in custody on separate charges.
Even though charges have been filed, anyone with additional information relevant to this case is asked to contact the Grand Rapids Police Department or Silent Observer. Detectives can be reached at (616) 456-3380 or tips can be sent safely and anonymously through Silent Observer via their phone line (616.774.2345), website, or app.
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