Grand Rapids, MI — More than 10 months after the shooting death of 15-year-old Amillier Penn, the investigation into his death continues, but no one has been charged. However, a new docuseries shedding light on the Grand Rapids Police Department’s efforts has brought fresh attention to the case, naming a potential suspect.
Penn was fatally shot near Umatilla Street and Madison Avenue in June 2024 while playing football with friends. His death, which occurred in broad daylight, has left the Grand Rapids community searching for answers. Despite extensive efforts by the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD), the case remains unsolved.
On Tuesday, the first episode of All Access PD: Grand Rapids, an eight-part docuseries on Investigation Discovery, aired. The series follows the GRPD, offering an inside look at how the department tackles high-profile cases, including Penn’s. The debut episode of the series focused on the investigation into Penn’s death and the challenges law enforcement officers face in trying to bring closure to the case.
GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom, in an interview with News 8, discussed the complexities of murder investigations, emphasizing that such cases can often take years to resolve. He pointed to the lengthy and intricate nature of these investigations, noting that some cases have stretched on for decades.
“Murders— and I have worked on them— they take three, four, five years, even more. I think the longest since I have been here in Grand Rapids is over 25 years,” Winstrom said. “There’s so much work to be done.”
Winstrom acknowledged that while numerous witnesses were present at the scene of Penn’s death, the department has faced obstacles in building trust with the community, making it harder to gather crucial information. He expressed hope that the airing of the docuseries might encourage someone with knowledge of the case to come forward.
The first episode of the docuseries revealed the name and photo of a potential suspect, though no charges have been filed against the individual at this time. As a result, News 8 has refrained from disclosing the suspect’s identity, respecting the ongoing investigation and the presumption of innocence.
While Winstrom expressed confidence that the docuseries would not harm the case, the potential suspect’s defense attorney disagreed. Barton Morris, who is representing the individual in a separate shooting case, voiced concerns about the impact of the documentary on his client’s legal rights.
Morris suggested that if the GRPD had a role in the production of the episode and the disclosure of the suspect’s name, it could result in prejudice and violate his client’s rights, should the case go to trial. “If it wasn’t for the GRPD’s investigation and their assistance in disclosing this information, I think it could be very prejudicial to my client,” Morris said. He added that the potential impact of the docuseries would depend on how much information was shared and how his client was portrayed.
The airing of All Access PD: Grand Rapids raises important questions about the role of media in criminal investigations. While some view the public revelation of potential suspects as a tool for generating leads and encouraging eyewitnesses to come forward, others worry about the risks to due process, especially when it comes to individuals who have not been formally charged with a crime.
The investigation into Penn’s death continues, with the hope that the airing of the docuseries may spark new tips or insights from the community. As the case unfolds, the balance between law enforcement, media exposure, and the rights of those involved will remain a topic of debate in Grand Rapids and beyond.
