Grand Rapids, Mich. — After yet another string of car meetups ended in gunfire, Grand Rapids police are intensifying calls to halt these dangerous gatherings that have plagued the city for years.
Drone footage captured early Sunday morning by News 8 shows the aftermath of the latest meetups, with tire marks scarring the highway and nearby strip mall parking lots from vehicles performing reckless maneuvers like spinning donuts.
Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom emphasized the dangers these meetups pose. “They do dangerous driving maneuvers, dangerous for the individuals in the vehicles, dangerous for innocent people outside,” he said.
These impromptu events, often promoted via social media, attract hundreds of vehicles to various locations in the city, typically late at night. Police have tracked these pop-up gatherings since the pandemic, noting the consistent threat they present to public safety.
The dangers became starkly clear in September 2023 when 19-year-old Alana Vasquez was fatally shot during one such meetup. The tragedy prompted a multi-agency news conference highlighting the widespread and growing threat these events represent across Kent County.
Winstrom shared grim stories from those affected. “I’ve spoken to individuals that have gone to these and had their vehicles destroyed, that have been injured and now that have been shot. I’ve talked to loved ones of family members that have been killed at these. This is not safe.”
Despite increased enforcement in 2024, including arrests, citations, and vehicle tows, the gatherings persist. On Sunday morning, police responded to multiple meetups. The first occurred just after midnight along I-196 westbound near US-131, causing significant traffic delays.
Later in the night, over 200 vehicles gathered at The Shops at Centerpoint strip mall off East Beltline, police said.
At approximately 2:40 a.m., a 23-year-old man observing the meetup was struck by a stray bullet. Although he is expected to survive, police noted the incident could have been far worse.
“A lot of pedestrians will come to watch these car meetups — we’ve seen them hit by cars, hit by stray gunfire,” Winstrom said. “I think that’s what happened here, where an individual not necessarily the intended target just happened to be here.”
Authorities have not yet identified the shooter, who could face charges including assault with intent to murder.
As the city grapples with ongoing risks, police continue urging the public to avoid these events, stressing that the gatherings endanger both participants and innocent bystanders alike.
