Detroit Lions Tailgate Shooting Ruled Self-Defense

In a bizarre story, Michigan prosecutors have ruled that the man who shot and killed two men—one accidentally—at a Detroit Lions tailgate party Sept. 15 was acting in self-defense, so no charges will be filed.

According to police, the unidentified 40-year-old man was tailgating after the game when a “physical altercation” broke out between several men. During the arguments, one of the deceased—25-year-old Jalen Welch—displayed a pistol in a “threatening manner” while approaching the first man.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the first man pulled out his concealed handgun, which he was licensed to carry, and fired one shot striking Welch, incidentally also a concealed carry permit holder, in the head. He died at a hospital the next day.

The bullet also struck 40-year-old Rashawn Palmer in the head. Palmer died at the scene. Unfortunately, it seems that Palmer was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“This single gunshot resulted in the death of two individuals,” stated a press release from the prosecutor’s office. “Mr. Palmer was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the fight. Evidence indicates that Mr. Palmer was acting as a peacemaker and trying to discourage Mr. Welch and the other men from arguing.” 

In a released statement, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said that her office looked at the case very carefully before making the self-defense ruling.

“We have reviewed this case thoroughly and this is a case of lawful self-defense,” she said. “It is absolutely tragic that during all the fun and merrymaking at a Lions tailgate that two lives were lost. The first was Mr. Welch who was the one who first pulled out a gun and was shot by the 40-year-old, a lawful CPL holder, who was defending himself. A single shot was fired.”

Even more tragic, according to Worthy, is the fact that another person also lost his life in the altercation. Despite that, no crime was committed, she said.

“In this case the shooter was not involved with the physical altercation, or any crime, when Mr. Welch pulled out his weapon and threatened him with deadly force,” Worthy said. “It is only then that the shooter drew his weapon and fired one-time striking Mr. Welch, and unfortunately striking Mr. Palmer. A thorough review of the facts and evidence shows that the shooter acted in lawful self-defense. The shooting was justified. There is insufficient evidence to charge the shooter with any crime.”