Tragic Loss: 20-Year-Old Justice Booth Gunned Down on East Alpine Avenue
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A young life was cut short in broad daylight as gunfire erupted on East Alpine Avenue, claiming the life of Justice Booth, just 20 years old. The deadly shooting took place shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, leaving a community stunned and a family forever shattered.
According to the Grand Rapids Police Department, officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots in the area. When they arrived at the scene, they found Booth lying on the pavement, gravely wounded. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital in critical condition, but despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Authorities have not released any information regarding a suspect or motive. The investigation remains open, with police canvassing the area for surveillance footage and witnesses. Yet, as of now, no arrests have been made, and the silence surrounding what happened — and why — only deepens the pain for those left behind.
A Life Taken Too Soon
Justice Booth was more than a name in a headline. Described by friends as gentle, loyal, and full of promise, he had dreams still unfolding — dreams that will now never be realized. He was a son, a brother, a friend. His family now finds themselves grappling with unthinkable grief and unanswered questions.
“He was just starting to figure things out,” said a close friend. “He wanted to make something of his life. He didn’t deserve this.”
Neighbors reported hearing the shots ring out suddenly, a sharp interruption to what had been a quiet afternoon. “It was so fast,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous. “Then we heard the sirens, and we knew it was bad.”
A Growing Pattern of Violence
Booth’s death marks yet another act of senseless violence in the city — another young man lost to gunfire, another family left seeking justice. Community members and leaders alike have voiced concern over the continued wave of shootings that have impacted neighborhoods across Grand Rapids in recent months.
“It’s exhausting,” said Pastor Harold James, who runs a youth outreach program in the area. “We keep losing our young people — not to war, not to illness — but to bullets in the streets. And for what? These are lives, families, futures being stolen. Something has to change.”
The Streets Stay Silent
In the wake of the shooting, investigators have urged anyone with information to come forward. But like many cases, the silence remains deafening. With no known suspect or motive, the pieces of this tragic puzzle remain scattered — and the community is left to grieve without closure.
Police are encouraging anyone with tips, no matter how small, to contact them directly or use the city’s anonymous tip line.
Remembering Justice
A candlelight vigil is being organized by Booth’s family and friends later this week. Loved ones will gather to honor his memory, share stories, and plead for justice — for answers — for peace.
“He had his flaws like anyone,” said his cousin, “but he had a good heart. He was trying. He mattered. And we won’t let him be forgotten.”
Final Thoughts
There are no easy words for this kind of loss. No headline can capture the depth of grief that ripples through a community when a young person is stolen by violence. As the city mourns Justice Booth, we remember that behind every tragedy is a life — full of laughter, of hope, of potential.
May Justice’s memory be a light in the darkness, and may the truth one day come to light. Our hearts are with his family, and with every soul grieving his loss.