Myles Slay, 19, Fatally Shot in Saginaw, MI on S. Porter Street; Homicide Investigation Underway, Second Man Injured.

‘A Life Full of Promise’: Myles Slay, 19, Killed in Saginaw Shooting; Second Man Wounded as Homicide Detectives Search for Answers

SAGINAW, Mich. – The faint echo of gunshots still seemed to hang in the air over the 200 block of South Porter Street on Saturday morning, a grim reminder of the violence that had shattered the night before. What should have been a quiet Friday evening in this working-class neighborhood of Saginaw turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak. When the gunfire stopped, a 19-year-old young man lay dead, and another man was rushed to the hospital with wounds that will forever mark the night.

The victim has been identified as Myles Slay, a 19-year-old Saginaw resident who friends and family describe as a warm, funny, and ambitious young man with a bright future ahead of him. Instead of planning graduation parties or summer jobs, those who loved him are now planning a funeral.

Police responded to reports of gunfire late Friday night at a home in the 200 block of S. Porter Street. Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel worked feverishly to save both, but Myles Slay succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The second victim, whose name has not been released pending family notification, was transported to a local hospital. His condition remains unknown as of Saturday morning.

“We are investigating this as a homicide,” said Saginaw Police Department Sergeant Elena Vasquez in a brief press conference outside the crime scene. “Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood, reviewing any available surveillance footage, and speaking with witnesses. We are asking anyone with information to come forward.”

As the sun rose over Saginaw, yellow crime scene tape still cordoned off the property. Evidence markers dotted the sidewalk and lawn. A single white candle, already burned down, sat on the front steps – placed there by someone who could not wait until daylight to mourn.

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The Victim: Myles Slay, Remembered as a ‘Shining Light’

Myles Slay was only 19 years old, but those who knew him say he packed more kindness into his short life than many do in decades. Born and raised in Saginaw, Myles attended Saginaw High School, where he was a member of the basketball team and the drama club. Teachers remember him as a student who could make anyone laugh, even on the most stressful days.

“Myles had this energy about him,” said his former English teacher, Mrs. Deborah Harris. “He would walk into a room and just light it up. He wasn’t loud or obnoxious. He was just… present. He cared about people. He would notice if someone was sitting alone and go sit with them. That’s rare in a teenager.”

After high school, Myles enrolled at Delta College, where he was studying criminal justice. He dreamed of becoming a youth probation officer – a goal born from his own experiences watching friends get caught up in the system. “He wanted to help kids before they made the same mistakes he saw others make,” said his cousin, Marcus Slay. “He wasn’t perfect, but he was trying. He was really trying.”

Myles worked part-time at a local grocery store, stocking shelves and bagging groceries. Coworkers described him as reliable and cheerful, even during the overnight shifts. “He would sing while he worked,” said coworker Jasmine Reid. “Old school R&B. He knew every word to every Luther Vandross song. It was hilarious and sweet at the same time.”

His mother, LaTonya Slay, is a nurse’s aide at a Saginaw nursing home. In a statement released through a family friend, she said: “Myles was my only son. He was my heart. I don’t know how to breathe without him. He called me every day at lunch just to say ‘I love you, Mom.’ That call will never come again.”

Myles is also survived by his father, Derrick Slay, who lives in Flint; two younger sisters, ages 14 and 11; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family has requested privacy as they grieve but has indicated that a public memorial service will be announced in the coming days.

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The Shooting: What Police Know So Far

The Saginaw Police Department has released few details about the shooting itself, citing the ongoing investigation. What is known is that officers received multiple 911 calls around 10:45 p.m. Friday reporting gunfire in the 200 block of S. Porter Street. That area is a residential neighborhood of modest single-family homes and small apartment buildings, located just south of Court Street and east of the Saginaw River.

When police arrived, they found Myles Slay and the second victim inside a home. Shell casings found at the scene suggest that multiple rounds were fired, likely from a handgun. There is no indication that the shooter was still on the premises, and no arrests have been made.

“We are following several leads,” Sgt. Vasquez said. “We believe this was not a random act of violence. The victims and the shooter may have known each other. But we are not releasing any suspect information at this time.”

Detectives have been interviewing neighbors and anyone who may have been in the area Friday night. One neighbor, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said she heard “two loud pops, then a pause, then several more.” She looked out her window and saw a dark-colored sedan speeding away from the scene.

Another neighbor, an elderly woman who has lived on S. Porter Street for more than 40 years, said she is “tired of the violence.” “These are good people on this street,” she said. “But every few months, something happens. Guns are too easy to get. And young men like Myles end up dead. It’s a tragedy.”

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The Second Victim: Fighting for His Life

The identity of the second shooting victim has not been released by police. Sources close to the investigation say he is a 22-year-old Saginaw resident and a friend of Myles Slay’s. He was transported to Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, where he underwent surgery late Friday night. His condition was listed as “serious but stable” as of Saturday morning, though hospital officials have declined to comment further.

Family members of the second victim have gathered at the hospital, keeping a vigil in the waiting room. One relative, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “He’s a good kid. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please pray for him.”

If the second victim survives, he may be a key witness in the homicide investigation. Police have not said whether he is cooperating or whether he is physically able to speak with detectives.

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Community Reaction: Grief and Calls for Peace

The shooting death of Myles Slay has sent shockwaves through Saginaw, a city of roughly 44,000 people that has struggled for decades with poverty, unemployment, and gun violence. While crime rates have fallen in recent years, homicides remain a painful reality. According to Saginaw police data, there have been four homicides in the city so far in 2025 – Myles Slay being the fourth.

On Saturday morning, community members gathered at the scene of the shooting. Some brought flowers and balloons. Others simply stood in silence, heads bowed. A small group of young men – friends of Myles – formed a circle, arms around each other’s shoulders, praying out loud.

“We’re tired of burying our friends,” said 20-year-old DeAndre Johnson, who grew up with Myles. “We’re tired of seeing moms cry on the news. Something has to change. But until it does, we gotta hold each other down. That’s what Myles would want.”

The Saginaw Police Department has increased patrols in the area and has assigned additional detectives to the case. The department is also working with community organizations, including the Saginaw County Violence Prevention Initiative, to offer support to residents traumatized by the shooting.

“We cannot bring Myles back,” said Pastor David Wilkins of New Life Baptist Church, who arrived at the scene Saturday morning to offer comfort. “But we can come together as a community to say: enough is enough. We will not let fear win. We will not let violence define us.”

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The Investigation: Seeking Justice

Homicide detectives are pursuing multiple leads. They are analyzing ballistic evidence, reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses, and interviewing anyone who may have information. Police have also issued a plea to the public: anyone who was in the area of S. Porter Street between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday night should contact the Saginaw Police Department.

“Even the smallest detail could be crucial,” Sgt. Vasquez said. “Maybe you saw a car speeding away. Maybe you heard someone arguing. Maybe you saw someone running. Please call us. You can remain anonymous.”

Tips can be submitted to the Saginaw Police Department at (989) 759-1289 or to Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 1-800-422-5245. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

No suspects have been named, and no arrests have been made. Police have not released a description of any potential shooter or shooters. The investigation is ongoing.

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A Mother’s Plea

Late Friday night, after the coroner had taken her son’s body, LaTonya Slay posted a short message on her Facebook page. It has since been shared hundreds of times.

“My son is gone. My baby boy. I don’t know who did this, but I pray God has mercy on your soul. Not because I forgive you – because I’m not there yet. But because God is bigger than my anger. Myles, you were the best thing I ever did. I will love you forever. Rest easy, my sweet boy.”

Friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with funeral expenses. As of Saturday morning, more than $6,000 had been raised. The family has also asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Saginaw Youth Violence Prevention Fund, a local nonprofit that works with at-risk teens.

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The Larger Picture: Gun Violence in Saginaw

The death of Myles Slay is not an isolated tragedy. Saginaw, like many post-industrial cities in Michigan, has experienced cycles of gun violence that disproportionately affect young Black men. According to the Saginaw County Medical Examiner’s Office, the majority of homicide victims in recent years have been under the age of 30.

Community leaders have long called for more investment in youth programs, mental health services, and economic opportunity. “We can arrest our way out of this,” said City Councilman Michael B. Flowers. “We need jobs. We need mentors. We need hope. Myles Slay had hope. He was in college. He had a plan. And still, he was taken. That tells me we need to do more.”

The Saginaw Police Department has implemented a number of violence reduction strategies, including focused deterrence and community policing. But officers acknowledge that they cannot prevent every shooting. “We respond after the fact,” Sgt. Vasquez said. “We need the community to help us before the fact. If you know someone who has a gun who shouldn’t, if you hear threats, tell us. We can’t be everywhere.”

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A Final Farewell

On Saturday evening, as the sun sets over the Saginaw River, a small group of Myles Slay’s friends gathers on the steps of the home where he died. They light candles. They play his favorite song – “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross. They take turns speaking his name.

“Myles,” one friend says. “We’ll take it from here. We’ll watch over your mom. We’ll make sure your sisters are okay. We’ll live the life you didn’t get to finish. We love you, bro.”

The candles flicker in the dusk. Somewhere, a dog barks. A car passes slowly, then speeds away. And on South Porter Street, grief sits heavy as a stone.

Rest in peace, Myles Slay. You were only 19. You deserved so much more.

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Anyone with information about the shooting death of Myles Slay is urged to contact the Saginaw Police Department at (989) 759-1289 or Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 1-800-422-5245. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and a reward of up to $2,500 is available.

A GoFundMe page for the Slay family has been established. Search “Myles Slay Memorial Fund” on the GoFundMe website. Donations will go toward funeral expenses and a college scholarship fund in Myles’s name.