Special Section ⚫ Rayvon Shahid Shooting

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BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT TWP. (CCN) — Two State Police troopers have been cleared in the Flint shooting death of a 17-year-old victim in November.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced just after 2 pm today (Feb. 7, 2025) that her office conducted a review of the officer-involved shooting and concluded the troopers acted in self defense and in defense of others.

Her announcement came via a press release that included a video statement you can see here. 

Killed was Rayvon Shahid and A.G. Nessel's video includes  photographs and video footage of the fatal incident from the body-worn cameras of the State Troopers involved in the shooting.

Community activist Art Woodson of Flint led a protest a few weeks after the early November incident, joined by dozens of others outside the State Police post on Corunna Road in Flint Township where calls went out for the family to be able to see any video available via body cam or cameras on nearby homes or buildings.

DeWaun Robinson, President of Flint's chapter of Black Lives Matter, conducted three straight days of protests a week later.

One was at the same State Police location, one was on the lawn in front of Flint City Hall and the final one was at the corner of M.L. King and Pasadena Avenue near the scene of the shooting.

Robinson called on A.G. Nessel then to issue murder charges on the two State Police Troopers.

He has not yet responded to our request for a comment on the decision by A.G. Nessel.

Woodson said, "I had a conversation with the Director of MSP along with others and his story was totally different from Dana Nessel."

No family members could be reached for comment. Woodson revealed earlier to The Morning Gazette Radio Show that the family had retained an attorney.

A.G. Nessel said a MSP Trooper observed from his patrol car an unknown individual in a ski-mask near the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and East Dewey Street in Flint. She reported that Trooper said Shahid appeared to be carrying a concealed pistol that bulged from the right side of his waistband. The Trooper relayed this to the other Trooper in his vehicle and further observed the individual acting suspiciously by hiding behind buildings on the east side of MLK Ave. Following further observation that supported their suspicion the individual was carrying a concealed handgun, the Troopers circled the block to effectuate a stop on suspicion of a firearm offense. 

A.G. Nessel said the two Troopers drove south on West Essex Street to meet Shahid head-on as he walked north on the same street. She said the Troopers activated the lights atop their patrol car and exited their vehicle to effectuate a stop at 6:34 p.m. After a brief exchange about the nature of the stop, they claim Shahid reached under his jacket with his right hand, toward the area the Troopers suspected he was carrying the gun. At this point, each Trooper say they unholstered their pistols and instructed Shahid to not reach and to get on the ground. They say Shahid raised his right hand, empty, toward the Troopers, continued to back away slowly, then turned his body and ran away from them.

Both Troopers say then pursued Shahid on foot, communicating with each other about the now-visible gun Shahid carried in his right hand. One Trooper unsuccessfully attempted to deploy his taser into Shahid’s back. During the pursuit Shahid was ordered by the Troopers to “drop the gun” about 10 times during the 25-second foot chase. Shahid ran south on West Essex Street before turning northwest through residential property, frequently turning his head to observe the Troopers’ locations. As he approached Pasadena Avenue, in the direction of nearby businesses and bystanders, the Troopers fired their service pistols until Shahid collapsed on the sidewalk along Pasadena Avenue, near his pistol equipped with an extended magazine carrying 24 rounds of ammunition.

A.G. Nessel said both Troopers reported that they then immediately began to provide first-aid while waiting for emergency transportation to Hurley Medical Center where Shahid was pronounced dead. 

Under MSP policy, all officer-involved shootings are first assigned to investigators from a different district than where the incident occurred.  This investigation was conducted by the MSP Second District Investigative Response Team who then referred to matter the A.G. office.

A.G. Nessel said a review concluded the initial stop of Shahid was proper and legal and the use of deadly force was a justified exercise of self-defense and defense of others.

She said law enforcement officers have the lawful authority to use force to protect the public welfare, but a careful balance of the facts and the law is required. An officer’s decision about the level of force necessary to control an individual will be based on the officer’s perception of the threat and the subject’s apparent ability to carry out that threat.

Under all the facts and circumstances known to the officers on this date, they were justified in their use of deadly force in self-defense and in defense of others, She said in her video. "Law enforcement officers have the same privilege of self-defense as anyone else. Shooting a gun in self-defense requires an honest and reasonable belief that an officer is in danger of being killed or seriously injured. If that person’s belief was honest and reasonable, they can act immediately to defend themselves."

A.G. Nessel then added: "Under Michigan law, a police officer, because of his or her duty and responsibility to protect the public, is not required to retreat in the face of a display of force. In this circumstance, Shahid was determined a danger to the community and the public, by the police officers at the scene, the moment he ran with a visible gun in hand. Had the Troopers allowed Mr. Shahid to flee as he attempted, armed and in the direction of many homes and an open business all presumably populated, this would have posed a significant risk to the community. In this circumstance, two MSP Troopers were presented with a person they believed, based on their observations, training, and experience, to be armed with a concealed weapon and acting suspiciously. When the Troopers approached this person, he reached for his waistband, where the Troopers believed he concealed a weapon, and ran from the Troopers, often turning his head to spot the Troopers’ locations. He was ordered many times to drop his gun, visible to the Troopers’ during their pursuit, and never did so until being wounded by gunshot. One Trooper attempted non-lethal means to force this person to drop their weapon, unsuccessfully deploying his taser."

She said her office's review team concluded that  

according to the signed statements of the Troopers, it was their contemporary opinion that Shahid’s refusal to drop his pistol throughout the pursuit indicated an intent to use the weapon against the Troopers, or others, and factored significantly into their assessment of the danger to themselves, the other Trooper on-scene, and bystanders. As the suspect continued running toward an area where more bystanders would be present while maintaining control of his pistol in his right hand, the danger to the Troopers and now the public continued to escalate until deadly force was deployed to end the pursuit.

Here, under all of the facts and circumstances presented, the Department concluded the MSP Troopers acted in defense of themselves and the public, and did not act in a manner that could substantiate criminal charges. A.G. Nessel said the MSP Troopers were justified in their initial engagement with Shahid on suspicion of concealing a weapon, justified in their pursuit of Shahid to effectuate an arrest for Resisting and Obstructing their initial engagement and to investigate a suspected firearm offence, and justified in their use of deadly force under these circumstances as an act of self-defense and defense of others.

Despite not issuing charges, A.G. Nessel said, "Nonetheless, this a tragic situation that led to the loss of a young life. The Department of Attorney General wishes to express its sincerest sympathies to the many family members and friends Mr. Shahid leaves behind."

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PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Rayvon Shahid who was shot and killed by State police in November on a street in Flint.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

 FLINT (CCN) — Leon El- Alamin became Flint's first elected official to offer support for the family of a 17-year-old shot and killed by Michigan State Police.

El- Alamin, Flint's 1st Ward city councilman, isued a press release on Monday (Dec. 2, 2024) that read as follows: "We mourn the tragic loss of Rayvon Shahid, a 17-year-old student who was fatally shot at the hands of Michigan State Troopers. This case is under investigation with the District Attorney's Office. As Councilman, I am committed to fighting for solutions to end gun violence. We stand with Rayvon’s family and the entire community. Let’s work together to ensure no family has to endure this kind of pain again."

The case is not under investigation by the Genesee County Prosecutor's office in Flint.

Two troopers were placed on administrative leave after the shooting which took place on Nov. 7 near  Pasadena Avenue and  Essex Street. The case is being investigated by the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

Family and friends conducted a protest outside the Michigan State Police Post on Corunna Road in Flint Township with Flint community activist Arthur Woodson on Nov. 16. Woodson said the family wanted to see body cam video of troopers or any video seized from nearby cameras that may have captured what happened.

The Morning Gazette Radio Show on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio initially reported that friends and family members said Shahid had never been in trouble before and was shot despite being unarmed. They alleged that troopers planted a gun at the scene.

The State Police commander at the Flint Township post, Col. James F. Grady II, has said it's routine for  troopers to be placed on administrative leave while investigations take place following officer-involved shootings. He said the troopers say the suspect ran from the scene when they tried to stop him while walking after dark. They reported finding a Glock handgun with an extended magazine near the suspect after he was shot.

Friends and relatives of Shahid were joined by more than 100 people at the Nov. 16 protest outside the State Police post on Corunna Road. Never more than 50 were on hand at one time although about 100 more stopped by to spend short spans with them in the protest. The group yelled "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice; No Peace" while shouts of "F*** the Police" punctuated the entire 2 1/2 hours.

Community activist Woodson reported that he demanded potential trouble makers leave the event. "We had people from Black Lives Matter and I told them to get out of here with that," he said. "We had Palestine people show up and we told them we didn't want that here. We were there to let people know the family demands to see the body cam video and any other videos from around the scene that they may have taken. The family wants answers and they deserve that even if the kid was robbing a store or something, which he wasn't because I've talked to witnesses."

Three more protests without Woodson were staged the following weekend (Nov. 14-16) by Dewaun Robinson who is President of Flint's chapter of Black Lives Matter. One was at the State Police post in Flint Township, one was on the lawn at Flint City Hall and the last one was near the scene of the shooting at Pasadena and M.L. King.

Robinson has demanded that the troopers be arrested for murder.

While City Councilman El- Alamin became the first elected official in Flint to speak out about the shooting, Flint Township Supervisor Kryn Miller offered support for the group's right to protest in front of the State Police post before the first gathering. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a Glock gun with an extended magazine that was posted on a Facebook page of shooting victim Rayvon Shahid.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

 FLINT (CCN) — Social media posts by a 17-year-old shot to death by State Police last weekend in Flint dispute various allegations being made by his friends that he did not own a gun.

The Daily Gazette identified two Facebook pages of Rayvon Shahid that displayed guns as far back as March of 2021, including one that displayed the glock with an extended magazine described by State Police in a statement about the incident.

Family and friends have told The Daily Gazette that Shahid did not have a gun when confronted by State Police. Friends also said he did not own a gun yet numerous sources have come forward to say that is not true.

Police officers and school officials who asked to remain anonymous say Shahid had good parents but "hung out with a bad crowd."

Shahid was described as a "troubled" former student at Grand Blanc High School who has had previous run-ins with law enforcement. This could not be confirmed due to criminal cases for minors being sealed from public view, but reliable sources  described various incidents.

Shahid was shot when he fled State Police in Flint, according to a statement that said he was armed with a handgun and refused to drop the weapon. State Police reported that Shahid was walking on Essex and Passadena after dark at about 6:30 pm when refusing at least seven commands to drop his gun after he began running when confronted by two troopers. State Police said Shahid was shot with a pistol after an attempt to use a taser failed.

State Police said a glock pistol with a loaded extended magazine was recovered at the scene. 

Friends and relatives of Shahid were joined by more than 100 people at a Saturday (Nov. 9, 2024) protest staged by friends and relatives of a Flint teen shot last weekend by State Police. Never more than 50 were on hand at one time outside the State Police post on Corunna Road in Flint Township although about 100 more stopped by to spend short spans with them in the protest.

The group yelled "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice; No Peace" while shouts of "F*** the Police" punctuated the entire 2 1/2 hours.

Community activist Arthur Woodson was at the protest and told The Daily Gazette that he demanded potential trouble makers leave the event. "We had people from Black Lives Matter and I told them to get out of here with that," he said. "We had Palestine people show up and we told them we didn't want that here. We were there to let people know the family demands to see the body cam video and any other videos from around the scene that they may have taken. The family wants answers and they deserve that even if the kid was robbing a store or something, which he wasn't because I've talked to witnesses."

Both troopers were placed on administrative leave  while the incident is investigated by the Michigan Attorney General's office.

Col. James F. Grady II, director of the State Police post on Corunna Road, released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that said he is "committed to ensuring this investigation is thorough, swift, and impartial."

The State Police statement said as follows:  “A loss of life during any police encounter is tragic. As always, all incidents that involve a department member discharging their firearm are immediately investigated."

 A Freedom of Information Act request is being prepared to be filed later this week by The Daily Gazette with State Police officials in Lansing. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a glock gun with an extended magazine that was posted on a Facebook page of shooting victim Rayvon Shahid.

BY JOHN SMITH

CCN Investigative Reporter 

FLINT TWP. (CCN) — More than 100 people joined a Saturday protest staged by friends and relatives of a Flint teen shot last weekend by State Police.

Never more than 50 were on hand at one time outside the State Police post on Corunna Road in Flint Township although about 100 more stopped by to spend short spans with them in the protest.

The group yelled "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice; No Peace" while shouts of "F*** the Police" punctuated the entire 2 1/2 hours.

Rayvon Shahid was shot when he fled State Police in Flint, according to a statement by State Police officials who said that Shahid was armed with a handgun and refused to drop the weapon. Family and friends have told The Daily Gazette that Shahid did not have a gun when confronted by State Police.

Friends of Shahid told The Daily Gazette that the 17-year-old victim was shot in the back. A few alleged that Shahid was shot in the back of the head.

A Freedom of Information Act request is being prepared to be filed next week by The Daily Gazette with State Police officials in Lansing.

State Police reported that Shahid was walking on Essex and Passadena after dark at about 6:30 pm last Saturday (Nov. 2, 2024) when refusing at least seven commands to drop his gun after he began running when confronted by two troopers. State Police said Shahid was shot with a pistol after an attempt to use a taser failed and revealed that a glock pistol with a loaded extended magazine was recovered at the scene. 

Both troopers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave  while an investigation is done by the Michigan Attorney General's office.

Col. James F. Grady II, director of the State Police post on Corunna Road, released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that said he is "committed to ensuring this investigation is thorough, swift, and impartial."

The State Police statement said as follows:  “A loss of life during any police encounter is tragic. As always, all incidents that involve a department member discharging their firearm are immediately investigated."

Family members have not yet been allowed to view body cam video of the two State Police troopers or any video seized from nearby homes or businesses, according to an initial statement by Flint community activist Arthur Woodson before the event. He appeared to be involved in leading the protest on Saturday (Nov. 9, 2024).

 "If they would not immediately let family members see any video, they have something to hide here," said one prominent local lawyer who asked not to be identified. Two other attorneys joined a heated debate on the Facebook Page of Mike Killbreath — host of The Morning Gazette Radio Show on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio where Woodson also made several posts.

Attorney Bruce Leach of Grand Blanc said: "Sorry, but this is so stupid, cops sound guilty of murder here. BUT — Now they wanna protest? How about use that energy to parent properly and keep these children away from guns like this."

Flint lawyer Rick Hetherington, who handles many case as a defense attorney, issued a post that read: "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."

Community activist Woodson responded: "See it's people like you that makes it easy for them to do this s###. You don't know what the f$$$ happen, but your piece of s### a$$ has something to say. The mom wants to see the body cam. If it was someone you loved, you would be saying something totally different."

Hetherington, who spent 23 years at the Flint Police Department before he retired as a member of the command staff as a Sergeant prior to becoming an attorney, responded to Woodson's allegation by proclaiming: "No I wouldn’t, but then my family isn’t out playing thug games with guns, and not obeying the police."

Woodson later added when discovering that Hetherington was an attorney: "This piece of s$$$ is an attorney(?) I'm going to see if I can make this piece of s$$$ famous."

Hetherington responded: "There you go. Always play the race card and call names. Page 3 of the Democrats play book. Not getting killed by the police is easy, don’t break the law and don’t disobey orders. Chris Rock tried to tell you."

Jason Hestern said "amen" to Hetherington and posted: "This should not even be reported until the investigation is over…. It’s too inflammatory and people that think they know often times do not! 99.9 percent of cops are great civil servants! So immediately blaming the cops is such a disrespectful move."

Kevin Muma added: "Just like the 15-year-old who attempted to rob Jules Market. The store worker gave him the money but he wanted more, the store worker then shot him. The 15-year-olds' mother then claimed that they killed her good son. Good kids don't rob liquor stores. Thus, this story is a typical case of bad people claiming racism to justify crime."

Craig Smith then added: "I don’t see Woodson’s comments bc he’s a pussy and blocked me a couple of years ago….. he is the most racist uninformed dumbest guy I know! He criticizes others for their 'lack of facts' yet runs his mouth as to he is 'all knowing' ……. Then when you give him facts or question him….. you’re racist! Give me a break Woodson. I don’t think cops in today's world are out 'just looking to shoot a black kid' ….. I don’t think cops carry “plant guns”…… I don’t think cops would lie to protect other cops (with) body cam and other videos available! Let’s see where the investigation and facts lead before making stupid comments."

Apple Rose supported Woodson, telling him: "Pay him no mind, it's really sinful to speak on things you know not.. I don't know if he had a gun or not . However, what I do know is this child shouldn't be unalive. What (happened) to shooting in the leg or arm, Michigan is getting crazy. With this killing,.. house burning while (little) children are inside, (Fire Department) instead of family being able to see cam of shooting. They're causing more pain by not allowing it at this time. If the teen had a gun why not show it???? Why (hide) it???? Shameful."

Chad Watson also had a heated exchange with community activist Woodson after posting: "Well let's start with asking why a 17-year-old had a pistol in the first place. That's law number 1 (broken). Fleeing from the police, there's law number 2 (broken). What led up to the police being called in the first place(?) But like always let's play to my poor baby didn't do anything wrong card."

Democrat activist Bobbie Clayton Walton said: "Maybe he didn't do anything wrong. There is a need for more and accurate information here. Protesting is not criminal activity. In fact, it is a legally protected action. Nothing is gained by condemning before knowing. Once knowing, the reaction can be based on fact, not emotions."

Watson replied: "You're right. I'm sure the cops were just driving around and said f*** it. Let's shoot this one."

Woodson then gave an angry shot at many on the Facebook post by writing as follows: "Let's start with violating my rights with stopping me for no reason. Let's start with he was just walking to the store. You MF voted for Trump and it was evidence all over the place. You don't know s$$$ about what happen, but you racist MF have something to say. If you don't know all of what happen, shut the f$$$ up."

PHOTO CAPTION: Protesters gather outside the State Police post on Corunna Road in Flint Township to protest last weekend's shooting of a 17-year-old Flint child. —— Photo by John Smith

  FLINT (CCN) — Funeral services were held on Tuesday for Rayvon Shahid of Flint who was shot and killed by State Police last weekend.

(See Related Stories above on today's Front Page of the Metro Section and at left if you reading on a laptop or PC. Scroll up if you reading on a mobile device)

The funeral was held at Upper Room Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Alvin Bradford officiating. 

Shahid was 17.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

 FLINT TWP. (CCN) — Friends and relatives of a 17-year-old shot last Saturday (Nov. 2, 2024) by State Police in Flint are staging a protest outside the Flint Township post on Corunna Road.

The event will be held from 12:30-3:00 pm outside the State Police post building.

Rayvon Shahid was shot when he fled State Police in Flint, according to a statement that said he was armed with a handgun and refused to drop the weapon.

Family and friends have told The Daily Gazette that Shahid did not have a gun when confronted by State Police.

State Police reported that Shahid was walking on Essex and Passadena after dark at about 6:30 pm when refusing at least seven commands to drop his gun after he began running when confronted by two troopers. State Police said Shahid was shot with a pistol after an attempt to use a taser failed.

State Police said a glock pistol with a loaded extended magazine was recovered at the scene. 

Both troopers were placed on administrative leave  while the incident is investigated by the Michigan Attorney General's office.

Col. James F. Grady II, director of the State Police post on Corunna Road, released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that said he is "committed to ensuring this investigation is thorough, swift, and impartial."

The State Police statement said as follows:  “A loss of life during any police encounter is tragic. As always, all incidents that involve a department member discharging their firearm are immediately investigated."