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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN August 27, 2020

INKSTER - ROMULUS
INKSTER - ROMULUS

Police investigate 2 shooting deaths in Inkster

Two incidents of gun violence teen, dead from an apparent gun- one person and injuring another.
resulting in deaths remain under shot wound. ” The shots were fired in a garden
investigation by police in the City Emergency responded trans- Witnesses told police that area between Hickory and Spruce
of Inkster. ported the victim to a local hospi- another 14-year-old streets in the evening hours while
The most recent incident took tal where he was pronounced families were outside, sending
place last Friday night when a 14- dead. shot and killed the victim. everyone running for cover, police
year-old died after he was shot in A preliminary investigation said.
the head, apparently by another and witness statements indicated The gunmen fled the scene on
teen. that a group of young teens were the victim. Police took that teen Police said the investigation foot, witnesses told police.
Inkster police and Michigan in the apartment and at some into custody, according to reports into the death is ongoing. “This is not something we're
State Police responded to the inci- point during the evening, one of of the incident but no other infor- In a separate incident, police going to tolerate,” Inkster Assistant
dent at about 10:35 p.m. Aug. 21 at them displayed a handgun. mation is being released due to said two men in ski masks opened Police Chief Bill Ratliff said, not-
Dearborn View Apartments where Witnesses told police that the age of the victim and the sus- fire in the middle of an Inkster ing that the investigation into the
they discovered the body of the another 14-year-old shot and killed pect in the incident. neighborhood last Tuesday, killing incident is ongoing.
Annual Romulus Pumpkin Festival is cancelled for 2020

The Romulus Pumpkin to cancel the festival and the “Our goal is to be creative and
Festival has, like so many other annual Parade of Lights which organize events for the communi- ”
community events throughout traditionally begins the event, ty throughout the fall season Our goal is to be creative and organize events
the country, been cancelled for was made after careful consider- while continuing to protect our for the community throughout the fall season
2020. ation of all options. residents by following Governor
A statement from the city Virtual fall events are still in (Gretchen) Whitmer's guidelines while continuing to protect our residents.
noted that the cancellation was, the planning process and include and CDC recommendations,”
“In response to the COVID-19 a sunflower growing contest, said Romulus Mayor LeRoy
pandemic, and at the recommen- pumpkin growing contest, fall Burcroff. “While we are sad- For more information about Romulus or Downtown Romulus,
dation of the Pumpkin Festival harvest porch decorating contest, dened to cancel our favorite in- the upcoming virtual contests Michigan Facebook pages.
Planning Committee and the fall-themed cutest pet and cutest person fall event, we look for- and events, call the Community “As always, be well, look out
Romulus Rotary Club.” baby contests and Romulus Arts ward to debuting alternative vir- Development Office at (734) 942- for your neighbors and stay
Officials said that the decision Council fall art contest. tual events for our residents.” 7545 or follow the City of Romulus strong.” Burcroff said.
Lawsuit claims racial discrimination at truck trailer plant

Three former employees at a ” ing “Pick a Bale o'Cotton” in an all-time high.” He said he
Romulus truck trailer company The economy has slowed, attempt to intimidate the Black expects more workers may come
claim they faced racist treatment workers. forward with similar allegations
while working at the business, but hate and injustice Gray worked at the company of racist treatment and inci-
including a display of nooses. is at an all-time high. from July 2018 until October dents.
Three African-American men 2019, when he was laid off, while The lawsuit quotes Benlee
have sued Benlee, Inc., claiming Jones worked there from May officials as saying “the noose was
in court filings that a noose was ing they were called the N-word white co-worker tried to put a 2019 to July 2019, according to not used to create a racially hos-
hung at the company twice while and “boy” while working at wire around his neck and threat- the suit. The complaint alleges tile work environment but only
they worked there as part of a Benlee Inc. In their court filings, ened to hang him. Jones missed work frequently used as a handle to raise and
series of racial incidents aimed Gray and Jones also allege white Jones' suit also alleges he saw because of emotional distress lower one of the inoperable slid-
at intimidating them. co-workers threatened them and the hangman's noose in the and was subsequently fired. ing garage doors in the shop
Jermaine Ware, a Detroit resi- other African American workers workplace and was verbally Detroit attorney Jonathan area, until repair.”
dent, filed his lawsuit In March saying they were going to “hand threatened by a white co-worker. Marko, who is representing Gray Benlee's attorneys declined to
in Wayne County Circuit Court. them” while in full view of a 13- Both claim that co-workers and Jones, said, “racist incidents discuss the lawsuit Monday say-
Last week, Marcus Gray of coil “hangman's noose,” visibly claimed to be members of the everywhere seem to be explod- ing they do not comment on
Westland and JaJuan Jones of displayed on company premises. Ku Klux Klan and that they ing. The economy has slowed, pending litigation against their
Detroit, also filed lawsuits, alleg- Gray's legal filing alleges that a would play racist songs includ- but hate and injustice is at an clients.