EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The individual who was found dead in East Grand Rapids early Wednesday morning has been identified by police as 16-year-old Cahari Maurice Walton.
"A kid full of laughs, would smile. He was always helping, always energetic," said Jawaun Kenny, Walton's former football coach. “Just always the helpful kid."
According to East Grand Rapids police, officers were dispatched at 12:35 a.m. to Lake Drive and Plymouth Road, near Corewell Health Blodgett hospital, for a ‘man down’ call.
When they arrived they found Walton bleeding from the head.
"Upon arrival officers observed Mr Walton bleeding from the head and immediately began medical assistance," said East Grand Rapids Police Detective Sergeant Scott Kolster. "He was pronounced dead at the scene."
Watch the full news conference here:
Kenney, the football coach, coached Walton from ages 8-14.
"It just broke my heart instantly," said Kenney. "You know, you hear stuff that goes on in the neighborhood and you just hope and pray that it’s no one you know. And this time unfortunately it was."
Walton grew up in Grand Rapids and recently attended Ottawa Hills High School.
"When I got another job at another middle school and we played against him, in the handshake line ‘Coach Waun you see me out there,'" Kenney recalled. "‘Yeah I see you Cari.' Just always that smiles, I'm going to always remember that."
His death has not been ruled a homicide.
East Grand Rapids police say they’re still investigating how he ended up on the street and what led up to his injury.
The department has launched a joint investigation with Grand Rapids police to determine if there are any connections between Walton’s death and a shots fired call at 12:07 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Street SE and Cass Avenue SE.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this young man’s life and are working diligently to investigate his death so we can provide answers to his family,” says Det. Sgt. Scott Kolster. “We are asking anyone with information about this incident to reach out to our Public Safety Department or Silent Observer to help us find those responsible and bring them to justice.”
***Those with information related to the incident are urged to connect with public safety officials at 616-949-7010 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.***
READ MORE: Investigation underway after body found near East Grand Rapids hospital
