Heartbreak on 28th Street: Marlo Stanfield Fatally Shot in Grand Rapids, Community Demands Justice

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A community is left shaken and heartbroken following the tragic death of 29-year-old Marlo Stanfield, who was fatally shot on the evening of Saturday, June 7, 2025, near the intersection of 28th Street and Jefferson Avenue in Grand Rapids.

What began as a routine summer evening quickly turned into a night of chaos and grief. Around 8:15 p.m., Grand Rapids Police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots in the area near the Exit EightySeven Nelson Motel. Upon arrival, officers discovered Stanfield suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot just outside the motel. First responders provided emergency aid before transporting him to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Stanfield’s death sent shockwaves throughout the local community. Known for his charismatic personality and deep love for his family, Marlo had grown up in Grand Rapids and was considered by many to be a leader among his peers. Friends describe him as someone who could light up a room, someone with “a heart that was bigger than his body,” and a man who always looked out for those he loved.

Authorities quickly secured the scene, cordoning off a several-block radius around the motel and shutting down a portion of 28th Street for several hours. Out of an abundance of caution, the Exit EightySeven Nelson Motel was placed on lockdown, with guests temporarily evacuated as investigators combed the premises for evidence. Witnesses reported seeing multiple patrol units, K-9 teams, and crime scene investigators working late into the night.

“We know the community is hurting. This senseless act of violence took away a son, a friend, a brother,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom during a brief press conference Sunday morning. “We are committed to finding those responsible and ensuring justice is served.”

At this time, police have not publicly identified any suspects, though investigators confirmed they are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and speaking to witnesses. Community members are being urged to come forward with any information, no matter how minor it may seem.

Stanfield’s family, devastated by the loss, is now calling for peace and unity as they prepare to lay their loved one to rest. In a statement shared on social media, his sister wrote:

“Our hearts are shattered. Marlo was taken from us far too soon. He was a protector, a motivator, and he had so many dreams still to fulfill. We won’t rest until we get justice for him. But we also ask our community to come together and stop the violence that keeps taking our loved ones.”

A candlelight vigil in Marlo’s honor is scheduled for Tuesday evening at Martin Luther King Park, where community members will gather to remember his life and call for an end to gun violence. Organizers have invited speakers, including local pastors, youth leaders, and friends of the Stanfield family, to share stories and offer words of healing.

This tragedy marks the third fatal shooting in Grand Rapids in just over a month, prompting renewed concern among residents and calls for increased efforts to address the root causes of violence in the city.

City Commissioner Milinda Ysasi expressed her condolences and emphasized the importance of investing in community outreach and youth programs:

“We must do better. These are not just headlines—these are human lives, our neighbors, our family members. Marlo’s death is a devastating reminder that we cannot ignore the pain our communities are experiencing.”

As the investigation into Marlo Stanfield’s death continues, police are asking anyone with information to contact the Grand Rapids Police Department at (616) 456-3400 or leave an anonymous tip through Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.

The Stanfield family has also launched a memorial fund to help with funeral expenses and support Marlo’s young son, who is now left without his father.

In the days ahead, Grand Rapids will grieve, but it will also remember. Marlo Stanfield’s name will echo in the hearts of those who loved him—as a reminder of a life taken too soon, and as a call to action for peace.