20-year-old shot and killed at a home on Detroit's west side

Dante Truitt had just celebrated his 20th birthday and three days later someone took his life.

His family said they last heard from him when a friend dropped him off to a house on Evergreen the day before he was killed,

The mother of Dante’s 16-month-old daughter believes that her child will one day ask, where her dad is? 

“My daughter is only 16-months and she has a shirt that says rest in peace to her father on it,” said the mother of Dante’s child, Deunique Averitte. “Dante loved this girl with all his heart and tried to make sure she didn't’t want for anything The fact that when she grows up and ask where her father is and I have to say he was murdered, is what hurts me the most. No child should ever have to go through that.” 

But far too often, children, moms, dads, aunts, and uncles have to ask, “Why is the person I love is dead?” 

“Think about it as if it was your nephew, your brother, your son and that happened all of a sudden three days after his birthday. How would you feel? Wouldn't you want somebody to help you?” said Dante’s aunt, Ranielle Reaves. “If anybody knows anything about this, just please help us so we can get this person off the streets. There’s no telling how many times he’s done this. If you are watching, the person who did this, you will get caught.” 

Early Sept. 19, the suspect was able to get away after entering into the front door of a home on Evergreen on the west side of Detroit and firing shots. One of those shots struck Dante, and the 20-year-old was gone. 

“Everything you did, just know God gone get you,” said Dante’s sister, Tahraya Truitt. “And Just know that you can’t run no more.” 

Loved ones of Dante said in order for him to rest in peace, the suspect must be caught. 

“He can’t rest in peace until these people are caught,” said family friend, Margaret Truitt. “We don’t know who did it, but someone does.” 

“Nobody has the right to take nobody from this earth. No one does, that’s God’s job,” said Dante’s father Tirrell Truitt. “People are supposed to have a chance to correct themselves. We all make mistakes.” 

Dante’s family believes that something needs to be done to decrease the number of killings in the city. 

“We don’t want this cycle to keep repeating,” said Dante’s step-mom Latasha Truitt. “We want our babies and our children to know that they can have faith in people.” 

Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.The number is 1-800-SPEAK UP. You can stay anonymous.