Young mother shot to death outside White Castle on west side

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A young mother gunned down and a young man still hospitalized after bullets fly outside a White Castle on Detroit's west side.

The woman who was killed had already survived a brutal attack when she was just a little child.

Now the mother of Renita Cannon Duncan is demanding answers.

"Whoever you are, you need to turn yourself in," said Eria Cannon, the victim's mother. "This is a tragic murder."

Police say Sunday just before midnight the 26-year-old mother and wife was in a car when she was shot. She was able to come off the Lodge Service Drive and pull into this parking lot where she crashed into some vehicles.

"While the officers were on scene investigating that scene, a male came across the street, about 31 years old, indicating he had been shot as well," said Michael Woody, Detroit police. "He was not a passenger in the car. We are trying to put together what his role in this whole situation is."

Renita's grieving mom says this is not the first time her child was the victim of violence. In 1999, she says 9-year-old Renita was attacked by a 13-year-old during an argument.

Fox 2 covered the story

"From my next door neighbor he slit her throat, stabbed her in the eye and she still survived," Cannon said. "But now for her to be brutally killed like this."

Renita's friend is calling for the violence to end before another person is killed.

"Our lives matter," said Alexander Thompson. "Whoever you had beef with squash it. It is time to come together. These senseless deaths have to stop."

The family has set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for the funeral and Renita's son who will turn 1 on Thursday. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

"She wanted a big birthday for him," Cannon said. "And I'm going to give that birthday to him."

Police are hard at work going over evidence to solve this case, but they need the public's help.  If you know or saw anything contact police at (313) 596-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.