DETROIT – A man has admitted to going on a deadly shooting spree in Detroit back in 2022 that left three people dead and injured others, including a dog.
Dontae Smith, who was just 19 at the time, pleaded guilty to the shootings that took place in the early morning hours of August 28, near Wyoming Avenue and 7 Mile Road. Among the victims was John Palik, a then-76-year-old man who was out walking his dog, Kingston, when the unthinkable happened.
John recalls that it was a typical August morning as he and Kingston strolled down 7 Mile and Pennington. He noticed a man acting strangely but brushed it off and continued on his way. Moments later, gunfire erupted.
“The first shot hit Kingston in the leg,” John said. “I turned around, and that’s when I got shot in the thigh. I believe he saved my life.”
John says a brave neighbor stepped in, firing shots at the suspect to scare him off. Another neighbor rushed over to help, grabbing a belt to use as a tourniquet on John’s wound. Thankfully, both John and Kingston survived, with no major arteries hit. They were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Now, two years later, John and Kingston are both doing well. John reflects on the incident with a mix of heartbreak and hope, saying he feels for the families who lost loved ones that day. He also believes Smith needs treatment to address whatever led to his violent actions.
Smith’s shooting spree claimed the lives of three people:
- Chayne Lewis Lee, a 28-year-old from Detroit, was shot multiple times in the 19880 block of Wyoming Avenue around 4:45 a.m. His body was later found in the doorway of a church.
- A woman, whose identity remains unknown, was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds near Wyoming Avenue and Margareta Street at 5:23 a.m. Residents had heard shots and saw a man in dark clothing walking away.
- Lari Brisco, 43, of Detroit, was found near the 19790 block of Livernois Avenue at 6:53 a.m.
John expressed gratitude to Smith’s family for stepping up and turning him in after the attacks. Smith has now accepted a sentencing deal of 28 to 50 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for February 28. On that day, the families of the victims will also have a chance to share their thoughts in court.
For John, the kindness and courage of his neighbors that day stand out the most. “I’ll always remember how they helped me and Kingston. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
