Community Hearing for Street Naming in Honor of Amillier Penn

News Summary

A community hearing is set for June 10 to consider renaming Umatilla Street to “Amillier Penn Way” in memory of the 15-year-old boy tragically shot on June 2. This initiative aims to honor his life and raise awareness about gun violence. The proposal, led by Amillier’s father, highlights community efforts to prevent such violence, with ongoing investigations surrounding the case and a reward for information related to the homicide. The hearings serve as a crucial step toward community engagement and healing.

Grand Rapids – A community hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, at 2 p.m., to consider the designation of Umatilla Street from Madison Avenue to Union Avenue as “Amillier Penn Way” in honor of the 15-year-old boy who was tragically shot and killed on June 2, 2024. This street naming is part of ongoing efforts to commemorate Penn’s life and combat the issue of gun violence in the community.

The hearing will take place during the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting and is open to the public. If approved, the street naming is expected to serve as a poignant reminder of the need for awareness and action against gun violence.

Amillier Penn was fatally shot while playing football with friends, a senseless act of violence that did not only end his life but deeply affected his family and the wider community. Core Penn, Amillier’s father, is leading the push for the street naming, hoping to keep his son’s memory alive and raise public consciousness about the implications of gun violence.

In connection with the case, 17-year-old Cartiyae Pascal has been charged with open murder. The Grand Rapids Police Department confirmed that Pascal was arraigned as an adult in 61st District Court. Investigators highlighted that Penn was shot near Madison Avenue on Umatilla Street while enjoying an afternoon of football with his peers.

In the aftermath of Amillier’s death, his family called upon the community to provide any information related to the case that could assist the investigation. Authorities announced an active reward of $10,000 for tips leading to an arrest in connection with Amillier Penn’s homicide, managed by Silent Observer.

Pascal’s involvement in the murder case attracted attention following the release of a documentary series titled “All Access PD: Grand Rapids,” which focuses on the investigation into the tragedy. Despite Pascal being a person of interest for several months prior to Amillier’s death, investigators faced challenges in gathering sufficient evidence to charge him until he became involved in another shooting incident on September 1, 2024. It was this subsequent event that created the necessary legal grounds for his arrest.

Investigation reports revealed a pre-existing history of confrontations between Pascal and Amillier, with several recordings of their fights documented as part of the evidence. However, despite surveillance footage capturing the eruption of violence during the football game, the clarity of the video was insufficient to confirm Pascal’s identity as the shooter. Subsequent investigations led to a search of Pascal’s cellphone, uncovering incriminating material, including images and videos where he posed with firearms.

Chief Eric Winstrom emphasized the importance of ongoing community engagement in such investigations, expressing hope that a successful resolution of the case could provide some measure of healing for Amillier’s family. The documentary series, which details the investigation’s challenges, aims to foster community involvement and support in solving violent crimes.

This tragic incident has prompted discussions about gun violence and its profound impact on communities, highlighting the urgency for collective action to prevent such occurrences in the future. The upcoming community hearing is a vital step in recognizing and memorializing a young life cut short while also raising awareness to ensure a safer environment for future generations.

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