Musician, father of 3 killed in Christmas Eve carjacking

A father of three and successful musician was gunned down by two guys who wanted to steal his SUV on Christmas Eve.

The suspects are still on the run but police are hoping surveillance video will help identify them.

Monday at Detroit's Central Baptist Church, family and friends remembered the life of 33-year-old Anthony Tolson. The well-known bass player was training to become a minister there.

Tolson was carjacked and killed Christmas Eve on Gratiot and Fairmont on the city's east side while on his way to his mother's home.

"Who does that on Christmas Eve," said friend Gwen Fox. "It is a ruthless murder."

Detroit police is asking the same question Monday.

"Why did that have to happen, why didn't you just take the car," said Police Chief James Craig. "Why did you have to shoot the individual?"

Police are asking for help identifying the two suspects seen on video taking off in Tolson's gray Chevy Trailblazer with his bass and gifts for his children inside.

"I'm sure he was blindsided, he didn't expect that," Foxx said. "I am sure he stopped at that store a million times."

Craig said that the distinctive walk by one of the suspects could be a key clue in identifying him.

"The one suspect has a very distinctive gait," Craig said. "That I think will go a long way in helping us identify who the suspect is."

His friends called Tolson a man with a pure heart, and a humble, musical genius.

Fed up with the violence, city officials, friends and strangers pray that Tolson's death doesn't go unsolved.

"this has to be an 'us' response," Craig said. "It cannot and will not be just the police."

If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe page for Tolson's family, CLICK HERE.

If you have any information about the murder call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or Detroit police at (313) 596-5200.