Kaliyah Embery: Detroit Teen Killed in Drive-By Shooting

Kaliyah Embery, a 16-year-old girl, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on Detroit's east side on Tuesday evening, October 13, 2026. Police say someone in a dark-colored sedan fired multiple shots into a Jeep carrying four people on Chalmers Street near East Forest Avenue, and a 19-year-old was also wounded. No one has been arrested.

Kaliyah had already lost both parents and an older sister before her own death. Her family is now searching for answers, police are asking witnesses to come forward, and a $5,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to an arrest.

Who Was Kaliyah Embery?

Kaliyah was 16 years old. According to local reports, she had lost both of her parents in recent years, and her older sister died in a car crash earlier this year. CBS News Detroit reported that she was the youngest in a family that has endured several losses.

Her great aunt, Dorothy Bean-Cooley, told FOX 2 Detroit that the teenager had only recently arrived in the city. "In fact, she just came here in September for her sister's funeral," she said. FOX 2 reported that Kaliyah had come from Louisiana for that service.

Bean-Cooley was home when the shooting happened. "I was in the house, heard shots and it was so close," she told the station. The family declined to speak on camera to CBS News Detroit but told the station they are heartbroken.

What Happened on Chalmers Street?

Detroit police say four people were inside a Jeep on Chalmers Street near East Forest Avenue just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday when a dark-colored sedan drove by and someone inside opened fire. Kaliyah was hit and later died at a hospital.

A 19-year-old was shot in the hip and taken to a hospital. FOX 2 Detroit reported that the family described him as Kaliyah's brother and expects him to recover, while WXYZ described the wounded young man as her friend. The two other people in the Jeep were not hurt.

Police Chief Todd Bettison said the shots were fired into the vehicle without regard for who was inside. Investigators have not released a motive.

Has Anyone Been Arrested?

No. As of Thursday, October 15, no arrests had been made and police had not released a description of the shooter beyond the dark-colored sedan. Homicide detectives canvassed the neighborhood on Wednesday looking for evidence and witnesses, according to CBS News Detroit.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be submitted through DetroitRewards.tv, to Detroit police at 313-267-4600, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP (1-800-773-2587).

What Police Have Said

Chief Bettison spoke to reporters on Tuesday night, hours after the shooting. "We will relentlessly utilize our technology to pursue the perpetrators of this crime," he said, adding that he was confident detectives would identify and locate those responsible. He told WXYZ that "we're going to throw the book at them."

Bettison also made clear how personally the case affected him. "I'm very angry about this," he said, according to FOX 2 Detroit. "Enough is enough," he said, according to ClickOnDetroit. He also urged residents to help, telling WXYZ, "The community has to stand up and they gotta speak up."

The department said it would add uniformed patrols in the neighborhood and work with community groups. Members of the violence-prevention group Cease Fire canvassed the area to offer resources to residents, FOX 2 reported.

A Difficult Week for Detroit's Children

Kaliyah's death was the third shooting involving a child or teen in Detroit in a single week. On Monday, October 12, a mother and her 7-year-old daughter were shot inside their apartment after a dispute that started over children fighting outside. Over the weekend, a 14-year-old boy was critically wounded in a separate shooting on Wabash Street.

The violence came after what Bettison called one of the "safest summers on record" for young people in the city. FOX 2 reported that police counted one juvenile homicide over the summer, an 89% drop from 2025.

What Happens Next

The case remains an open homicide investigation. If police identify a suspect, prosecutors would decide what charges to file; Bettison said he expects homicide charges once those responsible are caught. Anyone later arrested would be presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. MotiveX will update this story if there is an arrest or other development.

Timeline of the Kaliyah Embery Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was killed in the Detroit drive-by shooting on Chalmers Street?

Kaliyah Embery, 16, was killed. Her family identified her on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Some outlets have spelled her first name Kayliah.

Has anyone been arrested for Kaliyah Embery's death?

No. As of October 15, 2026, police had not announced an arrest or named a suspect. They are looking for people in a dark-colored sedan.

Is there a reward in the Kaliyah Embery case?

Yes. A $5,000 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest. Tips can go to DetroitRewards.tv, Detroit police at 313-267-4600, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

Was anyone else hurt in the shooting?

Yes. A 19-year-old was shot in the hip and taken to a hospital. Two other people in the Jeep were not injured.

MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.

Sources

• FOX 2 Detroit: Family of Detroit 16-year-old killed in drive-by searches for answers
• FOX 2 Detroit: Three shootings in one week involved children in Detroit
• ClickOnDetroit (WDIV): Teen killed, another person injured in east side drive-by shooting
• WXYZ 7 News Detroit: 16-year-old girl killed in drive-by identified as Kaliyah Embery
• CBS News Detroit: 16-year-old girl killed in Detroit drive-by shooting identified
• WWJ Newsradio 950: Suspects sought after 16-year-old girl killed in Detroit drive-by