SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Two people were killed and another was injured following a shooting at the Hidden Gem restaurant on Southfield’s west side early Sunday morning, Aug. 9, authorities said.
Southfield police were called to the restaurant, located near W. Nine Mile Road, shortly after 3:30 a.m. Officers arriving at the scene found 24-year-old Christopher Griffith Jr. of Redford Township suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later learned that two additional victims had been transported privately to separate hospitals. One of those victims, 28-year-old Johnny Jackson of Harper Woods, later died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. Family members said Jackson had been residing in Tennessee at the time.
The third victim, a 31-year-old man from New Haven, suffered a graze wound. Police said he declined to cooperate with investigators about what happened inside the restaurant.
Investigators also recovered several firearms as part of the investigation. A Glock 9mm was recovered from one of the deceased victims, while three additional firearms associated with security personnel were collected for ballistic testing. Those weapons included a Glock 10mm, a .380-caliber pistol and a Springfield 9mm.
Police have not announced a suspect or made an arrest. Detectives are working to determine what led to the shooting and whether the recovered firearms were involved in the exchange of gunfire. The weapons have been submitted for further ballistic analysis.
During an Aug. 10 news conference, Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said management of Hidden Gem has been cooperative with investigators. However, authorities said the establishment was operating after permitted hours and without a liquor license at the time of the shooting.
Police have not publicly released a motive or detailed account of what sparked the confrontation. Investigators are reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses and examining the circumstances surrounding the presence of multiple firearms at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about what happened to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact the Southfield Police Department at (248) 796-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
