Family of teenager killed in Southfield Hotel raises money for investigation

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

Tyler Johnson’s relatives have set up a page to collect donations for the investigation into his death.

The 15-year-old was shot 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 teenagers who witnessed her son’s fatal shooting won’t talk to police

Mother angry because teenagers who witnessed her son’s fatal shooting won’t talk to police

Police say none of the teens are trying to help investigators determine who shot Tyler and why.

“I have a problem with that,” Tyler’s mother Tomika Alexander said earlier during a press conference with Crime Stoppers

Each teenager was given a lawyer with the help of his or her parents.

According to his family, Tyler was an excellent athlete and loved trying new restaurants with his mother.

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

VIDEO: Relative of one of the teenagers in the Southfield hotel room during the shooting said an “adult dropped the ball”

Teenager shot in hotel and fighting for his life

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

“We have circumstantial evidence, but what the prosecution needs from our community are those witnesses or community members who may know what happened to give us that information so the prosecution can now present a case for prosecution,” Barren said.

On the day of the fatal shooting, a teenager was arrested for possession of two firearms: a 9mm pistol and a .40-caliber pistol. Police say that gun is the one used to kill Tyler.

If you are interested in donating to the research fund, visit the family’s AngeLink.

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