HOLLAND, Mich. -- A 22-year-old from the Chicago suburbs was shot and killed in a Holland apartment Monday afternoon.
Family members say Derrick D’Andre Ruff-Shingles, known as “Dre,” had just moved to Holland from the Chicago area in October to get away from violence and to make a better life for himself and his new baby on the way.
Around 9 p.m. Tuesday police released a person of interest in the shooting: 18-year-old Davon Jordan Walker. (pictured)
Family said Ruff-Shingles had just moved to West Michigan in October.
“He was the light of the room, he was always making jokes, talking about something to get people laughing in the room,” Davon Ruff said of his cousin.
“He came up here and changed everything and get away from everything that was happening in Chicago and all the negativity and violence out there,” Ruff said.
Joining relatives in Holland, family members say Ruff-Shingles was working at Magna Mirrors and finally getting on his feet.
“It’s a loss of words like I can’t believe this happened,” Ruff said “You came all the way from one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. to one of the nicest places and you got killed there.”
Relatives say Ruff-Shingles was staying with friends at the Holland apartment when he was shot. Police say he was wounded once in the chest and later died at the hospital.
The suspect ran from the building and is still at large but a handgun was found.
Family members say Ruff-Shingles had just returned from visiting relatives in his native Chicago suburb of Posen for the holidays.
Now his family hopes their loved one’s killer is brought to justice.
“We really want as a family for him to just break down and give up,” Ruff said.
If you know anything about the crime contact Holland DPS by calling Ottawa Central Dispatch at 1-800-249-0911 or email investigators at policetips@cityofholland.com.
Persons wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact Silent Observer at 1-877-887-4536 or Text-A-Tip to 274637, key word OCMTIP, then type your message to investigators.
