Police have confirmed that a second person has died after a shooting incident during a Detroit Lions tailgate party.
The incident occurred around 4:30pm on Sunday, shortly after Ford Field had cleared following the Lions’ defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The shooting took place at Shed 6 in the Eastern Market area after a disagreement led an unidentified man to draw a gun and fire at least two shots, resulting in the death of a Detroit man in his 40s.
A second man in his 20s, who was hospitalized in critical condition, has now been confirmed deceased by the Detroit Police Department as of Monday morning.
The shooter, a man in his 30s, was taken into custody by police. Police Chief James White stated that two weapons were recovered from the scene.
“We heard the gunshots and are investigating whether the individuals knew each other,” White said. “Alcohol and firearms don’t mix well. People need to handle disputes without resorting to violence.”
White indicated that the suspect might face murder charges, though this is not yet confirmed as the investigation is ongoing.
Fan violence has surged at NFL games, with incidents continuing into the new season. Last Sunday, a woman was body-slammed and a man was left bloodied outside SoFi Stadium before the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
Patriots fan Dale Mooney, 53, died after being attacked by a Dolphins fan at Gillette Stadium last September. NBC10 footage showed Mooney, wearing a Patriots jersey, being struck and falling to the ground during a large brawl. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed he was not directly killed by the punch but may have had an underlying medical issue.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s office confirmed that a medical condition may have contributed to Mooney’s death.
Various teams, including the Giants, 49ers, Bengals, Commanders, Rams, Broncos, Ravens, and Seahawks, also experienced notable violence both in the stands and around the stadium last year.
A 2023 survey found nearly 40 percent of NFL fans have witnessed crime at or near NFL stadiums, with about one in 14 being victims themselves. Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, reported the highest levels of disorder (63 percent). Physical violence was the most common crime observed.
Less than two percent of Colts fans felt comfortable letting their children attend games unaccompanied at Lucas Oil Stadium, compared to 77 percent across all teams.
Nearly 74 percent of female Lions fans felt uneasy about being alone around Ford Field, versus 45 percent league-wide. Notably, an increasing number of women are involved in such violent incidents.
