OAK PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — A 27-year-old man was shot and killed overnight outside a music studio in Oak Park, leaving artists, staff, and nearby business owners shaken.
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According to the Oak Park Department of Public Safety, officers were dispatched to Sanctuary Studios, in the area of 8 Mile and Meyers in Oak Park, for a report of suspected gunshots around 2 a.m.
When officers arrived, they found the man inside a vehicle dead. No other injuries were reported. The victim has not yet been identified.
Antonio "Big Tone" Hood, a sound engineer and producer at Sanctuary Studios, said he learned about the shooting when he woke up after working late Thursday into Friday at another job.
"Just like anything in life, stepping outside is a risk, but I never thought Sanctuary would be a place where someone would lose their life," Hood said.
Hood works with artists from across metro Detroit, offering music production, recording, and video production at the studio.
"It's unfortunate that anyone died, but I was really scared that one of my friends, one of my coworkers, was involved. It was really sad," Hood said.
Police have not yet identified the 27-year-old victim. Detroit artist Deargod, who has recorded at Sanctuary Studios for years, said the shooting came as a complete surprise.
"I've never had a problem there, I've never had a bad encounter, a bad feeling," Deargod said. "I've invited my family, my friends there.”
Deargod and Hood both describe the studio as living up to its name — a genuine sanctuary for local talent. Hood says the studio also actively promotes anti-gun violence and even holds events to share that message.
"I've never had a problem with anything, so yeah, it is kinda a shocker in that way," Deargod said.
The shooting also hit close to home for Amber George, owner of Haus of Bloom, a business located just a little over a mile from the studio. George relocated there last month after leaving her previous location on Fenkell in Detroit following another shooting death earlier this year.
"This is too close to home. It's way too close to home," George said.
George said the cycle of gun violence is taking a toll on business owners and customers.
"It's traumatizing to be a business owner, have to put my life in danger and my customers, so we try to move and make sure we have a good location and regardless...it just follows us," George said.
Hood said he believes conflict should never reach the point of deadly violence, and there will be a meeting to reevaluate security. The studio will remain closed for the remainder of Friday.
"I feel like there's never a reason for it to get to that point. There's always other ways to resolve conflict," Hood said.
Right now, police say there are no more additional details available. Police are still investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Oak Park Police Detective Ryan Beasley at 248-691-7515.
