One-year-old Jersi Stephens was in critical condition Thursday, Oct. 1, after she was struck twice when dozens of rounds were fired into a Canton Township mobile home, according to WDIV. Homeowner Annie Stephens told the station at least 50 rounds were fired.
No newer public update on Jersi's condition or any arrests was available as of Friday afternoon, Oct. 2. Canton police have described the case as an open investigation.
The child's condition was more serious than initially reported. Canton police first described Jersi as stable after the shooting on the 41000 block of Old Michigan Road, near Michigan Avenue and I-275, as we reported Thursday. WDIV reported Thursday evening that Jersi was in critical condition and remained in surgery. WXYZ reported that her family expected her to undergo surgery Friday morning and that she was expected to recover.
Annie Stephens, the homeowner and Jersi's great-grandmother, told WDIV she had just turned off the lights to go to sleep when the gunfire started. Canton police were dispatched just before 1 a.m. Thursday.
Stephens said she believes the shooters were targeting her 21-year-old grandson, DeShawn Stephens, Jersi's father. He had been living with her for three weeks. She said he had previously been targeted at his mother's home in Taylor. She asked him who was responsible, but he refused to say.
"Someone really hates him, and they really want to kill him," Stephens told WDIV. "I have no idea what this started over, and I don't think they know either."
Stephens said she saw at least three shooters outside. The home had no security cameras, and she said the shooters avoided the side of the house where neighbors' cameras could have recorded them.
Neighboring homes also sustained bullet damage, WXYZ reported. Neighbor Mark MacNaughton told WXYZ he heard at least eight to 10 shots before a pause, then saw police cars fill the street.
Stephens told WXYZ the smoke inside the home after the shooting was so thick it looked like the house was on fire.
Canton police have not released suspect descriptions or a motive. Anyone with information can contact Canton Police at its nonemergency number, 734-394-5400.


