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Resident raises questions about Oct. 8 Brent shooting; mayor and chief cite investigation limits but pledge to follow up
Summary
A Romulus resident told council that two suspects in an Oct. 8 neighborhood shooting appear to have faced no legal action; Mayor McCray said he will inquire and Police Chief Fonnes said ongoing investigations limit public disclosure, while councilmembers urged better resident notification for safety.
During the public-comment portion of the Nov. 10 Romulus City Council meeting, resident Stan Gordon described a shooting on Brent on Oct. 8 in which he said two suspects were reportedly released without charges and asked why the state’s rules on illegal firearms (which he characterized as carrying a two‑year minimum) appeared not to have been applied.
Gordon said he and neighbors heard more than a dozen shots, that the home hit by gunfire was quickly put up for sale, and that residents have been unable to get information from police or prosecutors. "There was a shooting on Brent, October 8... I can't get any information out of the police chief," Gordon said.
Mayor McCray and council members responded that some matters cannot be discussed while law-enforcement investigations are active. The mayor said he can make inquiries and will try to determine what information can be released. Police Chief Fonnes (identified in the meeting as the department head) said releasing details during an active investigation can hinder police work but confirmed officers took quick action and that, in related incidents discussed, suspects were taken into custody.
Several councilmembers pushed for clearer notification to residents when community safety is at risk. One councilmember pointed to the city's emergency alert system and asked why a shooting is not posted to the same channels used for snow‑plow parking alerts; others said they receive group texts and emails from the police chief and urged elected officials to share that information with residents.
What happens next: Mayor McCray said he will look into the matter and follow up with the resident on what information can be shared; Chief Fonnes and prosecutors were not asked to make further public disclosures during the meeting because of investigative constraints.
The exchange did not produce new policy or formal direction; it recorded constituent concern about public safety communication and a commitment by the mayor’s office to seek clarifying information.
