Flint Councilwoman Demands Answers After Deadly Shooting Spree

Flint City Council Delays Police Training Funds Amid Ongoing Violence

The Flint City Council has decided to delay accepting a state-funded police training grant, with one council member stating she will not support the resolution until Police Chief Terence Green meets with the council to address recent violent incidents and other concerns.

On Sunday, July 27, a deadly gun violence outbreak occurred in Flint, resulting in the deaths of a 45-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man. At least seven others were critically injured across four separate shooting scenes during the early morning hours. The events unfolded rapidly over just 70 minutes, prompting immediate concern from local officials and residents.

Police Chief Green provided a detailed account of the shootings during a press conference on Monday, July 28. However, 6th Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns expressed dissatisfaction with the information shared, urging the chief to clarify the number of shooting victims and his strategy for addressing future gang-related violence. Despite this, Green did not attend the council meeting and later criticized Burns’ comments as “off base.”

The $99,000 training grant is intended to reimburse the city for the time officers spend on required online continuing education courses. These courses cover topics such as de-escalation techniques and interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Green emphasized that subject matter experts from the department have been available to discuss the grant in previous meetings. He also noted that the city has an annual public safety plan presented during budget hearings and is part of the FBI Violent Crime Task Force.

Burns stated that Green’s press conference “gave no answers” and called for further discussions between the chief and the council. She made it clear that she would not support the training funds resolution until Green appeared before the council. “That’s where the buck stops,” she said.

During the press conference, Green provided a minute-by-minute breakdown of the Sunday shootings. However, he mentioned that the confirmed number of victims—nine—might be higher, as some individuals were transported to hospitals via private vehicles rather than ambulances. A police spokesperson confirmed that there were no new updates regarding the weekend shootings and that the seven known survivors remained in critical condition.

According to Green, three of the four shooting scenes were connected, stemming from ongoing conflicts between rival groups and individuals. This has raised concerns among local leaders about the need for more effective strategies to combat gang violence.

Councilwoman Burns has advocated for the creation of a city-specific gang task force to help address the growing issue of gun violence. She was one of five council members who voted unanimously to refer the training grant to a committee for further review. Burns has specific questions about the training content and broader concerns about Green’s approach to handling rising violent crime.

Data from early July shows a troubling trend in Flint. By July 20, homicides had increased to 23—a 4.5% rise compared to the same period last year. Overall, violent crime in the city had risen by more than 5% compared to 2024.

Only five council members attended Monday’s meeting, with Leon El-Alamin (Ward 1), Ladel Lewis (Ward 2), and Dennis Pfeiffer (Ward 8) absent. The low attendance meant that each of the five members had veto power, as five votes were needed to approve any resolution.

Several residents spoke during the meeting, referencing the recent shootings. Amariyanna Copeny, a local resident, described her neighborhood as having experienced multiple incidents, including teenagers carrying long guns, two shots-fired calls, and a stabbing. She praised the presence of officers in the community, noting that they were “doing what they were trained to do.”

Green also addressed the increased police presence at council meetings, which he attributed to rising political tensions and frequent requests to remove disruptive audience members. He mentioned plans to redeploy some officers to high-crime areas like the Continental Club Grill, also known as the “Van Club,” on Industrial Avenue. At least four people were shot in that area on Sunday.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley emphasized that public safety remains a top priority, stating that the city will continue using all available administrative tools to keep neighborhoods safe. He highlighted ongoing efforts, including the gun violence emergency initiatives since 2021, a gun bounty program, and youth diversion training programs in partnership with Flint Community Schools.

Neeley also expressed a commitment to seeking more partnerships with faith-based organizations, county, and state government entities to maximize positive outcomes. He described Flint as a resilient city and reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to protecting its future.