TGI Fridays shooting: Family of woman killed sounds off after suspect released
Family sounds off after TGI Fridays shooting suspect released from custody
The family were devastated and heartbroken. They describe 58-year-old Sonja Bruner as kind and free-spirited. She recently lost her son and husband and they say she was just trying to make the most out of life without them. But now it’s something they’ll have to do, figure out life without her.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - The family of a 58-year-old woman shot and killed outside a TGI Fridays in Southfield is speaking after the 35-year-old suspect was released from custody on Tuesday.
TGI Fridays shooting
The backstory:
A woman was killed and two bystanders were injured after a shooting in the parking lot of a TGI Fridays in Southfield late Friday night, Sept. 4, police said. Officers responded just before 11:30 p.m. to the 26200 block of Evergreen Road near 11 Mile Road.
Southfield police said that the suspect, who was arrested Friday night, was released Monday as they couldn't hold him longer without a charging decision from the prosecutor's office.
READ MORE: TGI Fridays shooting: Suspect released pending warrant approval from prosecutor's office
Victim's family speaks
What they're saying:
The family were devastated and heartbroken. They describe 58-year-old Sonja Bruner as kind and free-spirited. She recently lost her son and husband, and they say she was just trying to make the most out of life without them. But now it’s something they’ll have to do, figure out life without her.
"She was loving, very loving. She loved her grandkids. She always wanted to be involved and help people. She always loved to help people," said sister Anika Waddell.
"This man took somebody away from us that we love, and we can’t bring her back. He still got life in him. He still got his family. His mother can still hug him. His mother can still talk to him. We can’t talk to our sister," said sister Valesia Waddell Crump.
"I was heartbroken because he took my daughter’s life, and you shot her like a dog. She was a human being. She had family. He didn’t have to do that. It’s always ways to change and do things in life. You don’t have to go to violence," said mother Gwendolyn Taylor.
"People are saying different things about what happened, but what I get from the video, my sister’s gun never left her side. My sister was intoxicated. All of them men was standing around my sister. Ain’t no way that not one sensible man tried to help her. As a man, you are a protector."
"He should not be out, period. He should not even have the chance to be out and my sister’s life is gone," said Crump.
What's next:
The family wants everyone involved to be held responsible, including the organizer of the event that night, known as Lavish Biker Bash.
The Source: FOX 2 talked with the family of 58-year-old Sonja Bruner for information in this report.