Family of teen killed at Southfield hotel raises money for investigation

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) — A grieving family is taking new steps to get justice for a teenager killed at a Southfield hotel.

Relatives of Tyler Johnson have created a page to raise funds to support the investigation into his death.

The 15-year-old was shot to death in a room at the Westin Hotel in Southfield in February. Police say he was with four friends, also teenagers, and one of them pulled the trigger.

VIDEO: Mother angry because teens who were with her son when he was shot won't talk to police

Mother angry because teens who were with her son when he was shot won't talk to police

Police said none of the teens tried to help investigators determine who shot Tyler or why.

“I have a problem with this,” Tomika Alexander, Tyler's mother, said during a Crime Stopper news conference.

Each teenager obtained a lawyer with the help of his parents.

The family says Tyler excelled at sports and loved exploring new restaurants with his mother.

“We believe the individuals in that room know exactly what happened,” Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren told 7 News Detroit.

VIDEO: Relative of one of the teens in Southfield hotel room during shooting says 'adult dropped bullet'

Teenager shot dead in hotel fighting for life

Barren said investigators believe all of the teens were awake when the shooting occurred, but they may have pretended they were asleep to distance themselves from the events of that tragic morning.

“We have circumstantial evidence, but what the DA's office needs from our community are these witnesses, or community members who may know what happened, to come to us with that information so so that the prosecutor can now have a case to present to the prosecution.” » Barren said.

On the day of the deadly shooting, a teenager was arrested for possession of two firearms, a 9mm handgun and a .40-caliber handgun that police believe is the weapon that killed Tyler.

If you would like to donate to the investigation fund, visit the family's AngeLink website.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.