Wayne State Student Killed Saturday Remembered As Leader

DETROIT, MI — An 18-year-old Wayne State student who was shot and killed early Saturday morning on Detroit's east side was "a leader, a role model" who was working two jobs on top of being a student, according to those who knew her.

Casey Willis, a first-year student at Wayne State University, had just received a promotion at one of her two jobs and had also recently become a board member for Alternatives for Girls, a Detroit-area non-profit.

“We can take inspiration from Casey’s life and hard work," said Alternatives for Girls CEO, Amy Good. "She overcame many odds, graduated from high school and enrolled in college, chose to join AFG’s board, and served as a leader and role model to others.”

Willis was killed early Saturday morning when the vehicle she was in was shot multiple times, police told WXYZ. Two men approached the vehicle and shot the vehicle multiple times with a long gun, according to the TV station.

Willis was pronounced dead at the scene when first responders arrived, while no other injuries were reported. Two suspects left the scene — possibly in a Chevrolet Impala, according to The Detroit News.

Following Willis' death, several people who knew her spoke out on social media.

"Casey is a friend, a sister, and a daughter," University Prep Academy High School, from which Willis had graduated, said in a post on its Facebook page. "At University Prep Academy High School, Casey was a leader, a role model, and a light."

Willis was working two jobs while going to college at Wayne State, according to a GoFundMe page created by the victim's family.

Sandra Ramocan, the Alternatives for Girls Director of our Outreach and Education Services Program, said the shooting underscores the importance of the non-profit's and Willis' work.

“Our participants and their families face all kinds of threats, violent and otherwise, and AFG is crucial in providing a safe space for them, and to support them in building pathways to safe spaces throughout all aspects of their lives," she said.

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.