A Salvation Army bell ringer has been shot and killed outside a supermarket in Michigan, with police confirming the teenage suspect was known to the victim.
Details of the Westland Shooting
The fatal incident occurred at a Kroger grocery store on Ford Road near Central City Parkway in Westland at approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, 18 December 2025. Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman confirmed that the victim, a man collecting charitable donations for the Salvation Army, was shot multiple times inside the store.
Officers who responded to the scene found the victim with severe gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the location. Authorities have stated that the shooting was not a random attack, emphasising that the victim and the alleged assailant knew each other. The precise motive remains unclear.
Suspect in Custody Following Manhunt
The suspect, identified only as a teenage boy, fled the scene after the shooting. However, he was located and arrested in the early hours of Friday, 19 December. His identity is being withheld pending formal arraignment proceedings.
The Westland Police Department is leading the investigation. Both Mayor Coleman and the police have been contacted for further comment on the ongoing case.
Charity and Community in Mourning
The Salvation Army, a global Christian church and charitable organisation, expressed profound sorrow over the event. Since 1900, its bell ringers have staffed iconic red kettles from Thanksgiving through to Christmas Eve, raising vital funds for year-round community programmes such as food banks, shelters, and social services.
Lt. Colonel Steve Merritt of The Salvation Army’s Great Lakes Division released a heartfelt statement. "The Salvation Army is profoundly heartbroken by the tragic incident," he said. "We lift up in prayer all who are affected, especially the individual involved, their loved ones and the Westland community. We are working closely with the Westland Police Department."
Kroger, the supermarket chain where the tragedy unfolded, also issued a statement expressing deep sadness and confirming its full cooperation with the police investigation. The company has deferred all further questions to the Westland Police Department to protect the integrity of the inquiry.
The shocking event has sent ripples of grief through the local Westland community, particularly during the festive season when charitable giving is at its peak.
