DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit police are investigating a double shooting that left two people dead on Detroit's west side.
It happened just east of the Southfield Freeway at 8 Mile and Archdale Street.
Police say one of the men pulled up to the other and fired a shot. A fight over the gun between the two led to five or six other shots being fired. Both men were hit.
Police are not naming the victims, one of whom was in a wheelchair.
For drivers who exit Southfield Freeway onto 8 Mile, a panhandler who sits in his wheelchair in the median has been a familiar sight.
“I came down here and I saw the wheelchair, but I didn't see anyone in it so I knew something bad happened," said Ortagus Jackson who lives nearby.
Jackson says he often gives a few bucks and talks to that man, who’s a double amputee, during red lights. When Jackson drove by today, he saw police cars blocking the road and a body covered up on the ground.
“I thought that was him, actually I still don't know whether that’s him or not, I just know he’s not in that wheelchair,” said Jackson.
Police say it all began at 2:25 pm. One person was dead on the scene, the other pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
"It's unclear what the relationship was between the two,” said Detroit Police Deputy Chief Kari Sloan. "At this time we're not confirming the identity of the people involved in this crime.”
Detroit Police say they recovered the gun used but won't say who it belonged to. They’re also investigating any possible connection to a shooting at the same spot in July where a double amputee in a wheelchair was targeted.
“In July of last year there was a shooting here at this location," Deputy Chief Sloan said. "We're working right now to confirm whether those were the same individuals involved.”
With the circumstances still unclear, those who drive by this spot hope answers come soon.
“Gun violence is something we're trying to reduce in the community and it has drastically reduced, but then we have nonsense like this,” said Tamara Smith, Detroit Police Commissioner for District 1.
“Somebody who has nothing lost his life probably over nothing," Jackson said. "It's bad, it's just sad.”
Police are still searching for video and any witnesses who saw what happened. If you know anything contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-speak-up
