Donovan "DJ" Moss: Two Held After Detroit Teen Father Killed

Donovan "DJ" Moss, an 18-year-old father, was shot and killed early on Friday, October 9, 2026, on Cheshire Street near Moross Road on the east side of Detroit, Michigan. On Saturday, October 10, Detroit police said two people of interest were in custody in connection with his death. No charges have been announced.

Relatives who identified him to local stations describe a recent high school graduate who was working to provide for his young daughter. Police have not said what led to the shooting, and they are still asking anyone with information to come forward.

Who Was Donovan "DJ" Moss?

Early police information described the victim only as an 18-year-old man. His family gave his name to reporters. FOX 2 Detroit reported that relatives identified him as Donovan Moss and said he was known by the nickname DJ. WXYZ, the ABC station in Detroit, reported the name his family gave as Donovan Moss Jr.

His cousin, Zamiya Moss, told FOX 2 that he had recently graduated from high school and was working two jobs to support his daughter. WWJ Newsradio reported that relatives said he worked at a local restaurant. WXYZ reported that his daughter is 2 years old.

His aunt, Cinnamon Oliver, spoke to WXYZ about the kind of person he was. "He was a sweetheart, you know, always very helpful, very respectful," she said. Speaking about his daughter, she added, "He was there for her ... he never let being a young parent hold him down."

Zamiya Moss also told FOX 2 that she wants to see stronger gun regulations, and she encouraged people to vote for candidates who support stricter gun laws.

What Happened on Cheshire Street in Detroit?

According to Detroit police information reported by FOX 2 and WDIV ClickOnDetroit, officers were sent to the area of Cheshire Street and Moross Road at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday, October 9, after an alert from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system. They found an 18-year-old man who had been shot. He died.

FOX 2 reported that the shooting took place in the 19100 block of Cheshire Street, in the Cornerstone Village neighborhood. WWJ reported that it happened outside a home, and that no other injuries were reported.

WXYZ reported that police closed Cheshire Street between Moross Road and Kingsville Street while they worked. FOX 2 described a large crowd and many police vehicles in the block that morning. Later on Friday morning, WWJ reported, investigators went door to door in the neighborhood asking residents for security video.

Has Anyone Been Arrested?

On Friday morning, WWJ reported that no arrests had been made and that no suspect had been named or described. That changed the next day. On the afternoon of Saturday, October 10, Detroit police said they had two "people of interest" in custody, according to FOX 2. WXYZ reported the same announcement.

Police have not released the names or ages of the two people, and they have not said how they believe either one is connected to the shooting. No charges have been filed. FOX 2 reported that charges for both will be submitted to the prosecutor's office for a decision.

Being held as a person of interest is not a criminal charge. If charges are filed, anyone accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

For the family, the news brought some relief. "Thankful, you know, very thankful because we had no answers, we knew nothing," Oliver told WXYZ.

What Police Have Said

The public information so far comes from the Detroit Police Department through local news outlets: the time officers were dispatched, the ShotSpotter alert, the victim's age, and the fact that two people are in custody. Police have not announced a motive. WWJ reported on Friday that the motive was unknown and that relatives could offer no reason for the shooting.

Detroit police have asked anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260. Tips can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or through Detroit Rewards TV.

What Happens Next

The next step is the review by prosecutors. As FOX 2 reported, the case against both people in custody is to be submitted to the prosecutor's office, which will decide whether charges are filed. Police have not said when that decision is expected, and WXYZ reported that no further details about the two people have been released while the investigation continues.

Oliver told WXYZ that she hopes for justice, and she described her nephew as a young man who was trying to build something for himself.

Timeline of the Donovan "DJ" Moss Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Donovan "DJ" Moss?

He was an 18-year-old from Detroit and the father of a young daughter. Relatives told local stations that he had recently finished high school and was working to support his child.

Where and when was Donovan Moss killed?

He was shot at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, in the 19100 block of Cheshire Street, near Moross Road, on Detroit's east side.

Has anyone been charged in the Donovan Moss case?

No. Detroit police said on Saturday, October 10, that two people of interest were in custody. Their names have not been released, and prosecutors have not announced any charges.

How can someone share information with Detroit police?

Police have asked people to call the Detroit Police Department Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.

Sources

• FOX 2 Detroit: police say two people are in custody after 18-year-old's death on the east side
• FOX 2 Detroit: first report on the Cheshire Street shooting and the family's identification of the victim
• WXYZ 7 News Detroit: family speaks after two people are taken into custody
• WXYZ 7 News Detroit: initial report on the police investigation near Cheshire Street and Moross Road
• WDIV ClickOnDetroit: report on the overnight shooting investigation
• WWJ Newsradio 950: report on the search for suspects and the neighborhood canvass