A 17-year-old, Cartiyae Pascal, has been charged with open murder and weapon charges in the shooting death of 15-year-old Amillier Penn in Grand Rapids. The incident occurred on June 2, 2024, while Amillier was playing football with friends on Umatilla Street near Madison Avenue. This tragedy has left the community shaken, with Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom emphasizing the significance of the case, stating that it is a murder that the city should never forget.
Pascal was already in custody for another shooting incident from September 1, 2024, which was caught on security cameras. He was charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing at an individual outside a convenience store. Investigators received many helpful tips after the case was featured in a local TV show, “All Access PD: Grand Rapids.” These tips, along with digital evidence from Pascal’s phone, helped connect him to the shooting death of Amillier Penn. Witnesses also reported that Pascal had admitted to killing Penn.
Amillier’s father, Corey Penn, expressed both sadness and relief upon hearing the news of Pascal’s arrest. The community is now coming together to honor Amillier’s memory. There is a proposal to name part of Umatilla Street “Amillier Penn Way,” and a public hearing for this is set for June 10, 2025.
The case also sparked a call for change from Chief Winstrom, who urged the community to reject the “code of the street” and work together to prevent youth violence. He stated that it is important to speak up and cooperate with authorities when such tragedies occur.
