Crime
Eastern Market shooting: 40-year-old shooter acted in self-defense, no charges filed
The shooter’s actions were deemed justified as he faced a credible threat from Welch’s weapon.
A 40-year-old man has been cleared of charges in a double-fatal shooting that occurred during a Detroit Lions tailgate at Eastern Market on Sunday.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that the shooter acted in self-defense when confronted with a gun by Jalen Welch.
According to the investigation, a verbal altercation escalated into a physical fight involving several individuals near Shed 6.
Welch, who was not initially involved in the dispute, entered the scene brandishing a pistol.
The shooter, who was not part of the altercation, removed his own concealed weapon and fired a single shot, striking Welch in the head.
Tragically, the bullet passed through Welch and fatally struck Rayshawn Palmer, who was attempting to intervene as a peacemaker.
Prosecutor Worthy stated that under Michigan law, individuals have the right to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves or others from imminent death or great bodily harm.
In this case, the shooter’s actions were deemed justified as he faced a credible threat from Welch’s weapon.
The incident has prompted discussions about safety measures at future Lions tailgates.
Eastern Market and Detroit police are exploring options such as weapons-free zones and metal detectors to prevent similar tragedies.
KANSAS CITY, MO — Armando Navarro, 50, has been charged with the shooting deaths of three women and a dog, along with the attempted murder of a surviving family member, following a violent domestic incident early Sunday, February 2, 2025, according to court documents filed by the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officers with the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in the 4100 block of NW 65th Street around 12:40 a.m.
The emergency call came from a neighbor who reported that a distressed woman had knocked on her door, claiming she had been shot at.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a harrowing scene inside the home:
- Three women were found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
- A dog had also been fatally shot.
- A surviving victim, whose identity has not been publicly released, managed to escape and alert neighbors.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Hailey Hopcus, 24
- Jodie Hopcus, 49
- Sherri Duncan, 73
The victims were related as granddaughter, mother, and grandmother, respectively. The surviving victim is Hailey’s sister, Jodie’s daughter, and Duncan’s granddaughter.
According to the surviving victim’s account, the tragic events unfolded following an argument between her mother, Jodie Hopcus, and Jodie’s boyfriend, Armando Navarro.
The couple had a history of frequent disputes, and on the night of the shooting, the argument escalated significantly.
As the surviving victim prepared for bed, she overheard the heated exchange. Navarro was reportedly pleading to stay, claiming he had nowhere else to go, while Jodie insisted he leave.
The situation took a deadly turn when Navarro, instead of gathering his belongings as the family believed, retrieved a small handgun and began shooting.
- Jodie Hopcus was initially shot in the arm while trying to protect her daughter.
- When Navarro ran out of ammunition, he grabbed a kitchen knife and later armed himself with a larger firearm, which he momentarily held under his chin as if contemplating suicide.
- Despite Jodie’s efforts to shield her daughter, Navarro shot her in the head when she attempted to escape.
- Sherri Duncan, the family’s matriarch, was already motionless on the floor by this point.
The surviving victim narrowly escaped after Navarro fired at her, with a bullet grazing her hair.
She sought refuge at a neighboring residence, where she heard Navarro calling her name before he fled the scene in a white 2020 Ford Expedition registered to one of the victims.
Navarro was later apprehended in Abilene, Kansas, by the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol.
His capture came after his son contacted authorities around 2:00 a.m., reporting that Navarro had called him, stating he had “killed them all.”
Navarro is currently being held in the Dickinson County Jail and faces multiple charges, including:
- 3 counts of First-Degree Murder (Felony)
- 4 counts of Armed Criminal Action (Felony)
- 1 count of First-Degree Assault (Felony)
- 1 count of Animal Abuse (Misdemeanor)
His initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Missouri Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is assisting with forensic analysis and evidence collection.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Kansas City Police Department or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (816) 474-TIPS.