A 27-year-old Detroit woman was fatally shot over Labor Day weekend after she attempted to break up a fight.
It all unfolded Sunday morning when Donae Wilbert was at the Hollywood Coney Island on Detroit’s west side. She had just had a fun night partying with friends when they stopped by the restaurant to grab a bite to eat. When she saw two men and a woman in a heated altercation, she attempted to intervene, sources told FOX 2.
According to the victim’s mother, LaDonna Kemp, she was “very sure in my thoughts that she wanted to get home,” but instead, “I guess the guy followed her out and she was able to get herself out of the restaurant and she was shot in the parking lot,” she told FOX 2.
When the family was notified about the shooting, they were unable to touch Wilbert, Kemp said, but when they went to see her body, she was still smiling.
“She would give you the shirt off of her back,” Kemp said. “She was always helping people.”
She further added that she was always willing to go above and beyond to help others, even if it meant putting her own life in danger.
“We had to even tell her like you can’t pull over in your car when you are by yourself because you see somebody on the road and they need help, because it’s dangerous out there,” Kemp said. “She was kinda like the type of person that would have to try and see for herself.
The news of Gilbert’s passing has since spread throughout the community, where she was well-known and loved.
“She was doing the right thing and that’s what angers me,” Detroit activist Pastor Mo said.
Mo works with members of the community to teach them about de-escalation techniques. His mission is to ease tension before they turn violent.
He recommends that people should become more aware of themselves and their surroundings when they are in public.
“Make sure you are in a lighted area” he said. “Read body language. Look and see if there’s anything poking out their waist. Look at their type of demeanor.
He continued: “I’m not trying to judge anybody but if it’s somebody who looks like they can be dangerous, menacing or just don’t care, be careful how you approach somebody who could be having a mental breakdown.”
Meanwhile, Wilbert’s family says they will ensure they do everything they can to keep her legacy alive.
“I just want whoever did this to know they took away such a bright light that shined on so many different people,” Kemp said. “Everybody that she ever talked to will remember because of just her great shine – just her personality was amazing and she was amazing.”
