Vigil Held for Man Killed in Kalamazoo Park Shooting

Friends and family remember Telonn Horton, who died in a shooting at Davis Street Park on Friday.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:04pm

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An extreme close-up of a single candle flame casting dramatic shadows against a dark background, conveying the solemn mood of the vigil held to remember the victim of the park shooting.The flickering candle flame at the vigil for Telonn Horton symbolizes the community's grief and desire to honor his memory.Kalamazoo Today

Around 100 people gathered at Davis Street Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan to hold a vigil for Telonn Horton, a 29-year-old man who was killed in a shooting at the park on Friday. Attendees lit candles, planted flowers, and shared memories of Horton, who they described as a caring and loving man who loved to skate. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has a person of interest in custody and is investigating the shooting as a homicide.

Why it matters

The vigil reflects the community's grief and desire to honor Telonn Horton's life, while also raising awareness about the ongoing issue of gun violence in Kalamazoo. The arrest of a person of interest suggests progress in the investigation, but the tragedy has left Horton's loved ones and the broader community searching for answers and seeking to prevent such incidents in the future.

The details

According to reports, the vigil was held at Davis Street Park, the site of the shooting on Friday afternoon. Attendees gathered around a picnic table, lit candles, planted flowers, and passed out cans of spray string to release in Horton's honor. Some wore purple, which was his favorite color. Horton's friends recalled that he was always smiling and they never expected a tragedy like this to happen.

  • The vigil was held on Saturday, April 19, 2026, a day after the shooting occurred on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety announced that a person of interest is in custody and is expected to be criminally charged on Monday, April 21, 2026.

The players

Telonn Horton

A 29-year-old man who was killed in a shooting at Davis Street Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His friends and family described him as a caring and loving person who loved to skate.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS)

The law enforcement agency investigating the shooting at Davis Street Park as a homicide and has a person of interest in custody.

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What’s next

The person of interest in custody is expected to be criminally charged on Monday, April 21, 2026, as the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into the homicide.

The takeaway

The vigil held for Telonn Horton reflects the deep impact his death has had on the Kalamazoo community, as they come together to grieve and remember a young man described as caring, loving, and full of joy. While an arrest has been made, the tragedy has left many searching for answers and seeking ways to prevent such violence in the future.