Deadly Hazel Park Short-Term Rental Shooting Prompts Six-Month Moratorium

Overview

• A shooting at a Powell Avenue short-term rental on May 29 killed a 20-year-old Detroit man and wounded a 19-year-old Pontiac man after what police say appeared to be an after-prom gathering.
• Hazel Park police say evidence so far suggests an armed robbery occurred at the party and that the person who died is alleged to have pointed a gun and taken a watch from another attendee.
• A licensed gun owner at the house said he fired in self-defense and was taken into custody then released on June 1 pending further investigation as detectives keep collecting evidence and seeking witnesses.
• City officials suspended the Powell Avenue property’s short-term rental license and announced an immediate six-month moratorium on new short-term rental licenses to allow a review of licensing, inspections and enforcement procedures.
• The move responds to neighbor complaints about party use of rentals and could lead to stricter occupancy limits, tougher enforcement of event bans and changes that affect how platforms and owners list properties in Hazel Park.