GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Tragic Shooting Claims Life of Marlo Stanfield, Community in Mourning
The city of Grand Rapids is reeling after a tragic and violent incident claimed the life of Marlo Stanfield, who was fatally shot on the evening of Saturday, June 7, 2025, along the busy corridor of 28th Street near Jefferson Avenue. What began as a routine evening quickly escalated into a scene of chaos, heartbreak, and deep sorrow as police raced to respond to the gunfire.
Authorities with the Grand Rapids Police Department say they received multiple 911 calls around 8:30 p.m., reporting shots fired in the area. When officers arrived at the scene, they found 34-year-old Marlo Stanfield suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts by emergency responders to render aid, Stanfield was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a local hospital.
The aftermath of the shooting triggered an extensive law enforcement response that stretched into the late hours of the night. Officers quickly secured the area and began canvassing the surrounding neighborhood for witnesses, surveillance footage, and any leads that could help identify the perpetrator. As part of the operation, a nearby motel was placed under lockdown and evacuated due to concerns that the suspect might be hiding within the premises. Tactical units conducted a thorough search, but no suspect was immediately taken into custody.
The violent loss of Marlo Stanfield has sent shockwaves through the Grand Rapids community. Family, friends, and neighbors describe him as a devoted father, a loyal friend, and a man working hard to create a better life for himself and his loved ones. “He didn’t deserve this,” said one close friend at a makeshift memorial set up near the scene. “Marlo was turning his life around. He was loved and respected in his circle.”
Local advocacy groups and community leaders have expressed their outrage and grief, once again calling attention to the rising tide of gun violence in the city. “We must do more,” said a spokesperson from the Grand Rapids Urban League. “Another life has been stolen, another family shattered. It is time to come together, not just in mourning, but in action.”
Detectives with the GRPD Major Case Team are actively investigating the circumstances that led up to the shooting. Preliminary reports suggest that an altercation may have preceded the gunfire, but they have not released specific details about a suspect or motive. Anyone with information is being urged to contact Grand Rapids Police or leave an anonymous tip through Silent Observer.
As the investigation continues, the Grand Rapids community prepares to lay Marlo Stanfield to rest. A candlelight vigil is being planned for this week, allowing loved ones and community members to honor his memory, grieve together, and call for peace.
Marlo leaves behind family, including young children, who now face the unimaginable pain of life without him. A GoFundMe has been established to help with funeral expenses and to provide support for his children in the difficult days ahead.
As the city grapples with this tragedy, one message remains clear: Marlo Stanfield will not be forgotten, and his death must not be in vain. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, and his story will fuel ongoing efforts to end the cycle of violence that continues to claim too many lives.