Cityscape

Updates: Vehicle Lead In Hit-Run Deaths; James Van Horn Funeral Set

July 29, 2013, 6:37 PM by  Alan Stamm

Detroit Police fatal accident squad investigators have notified patrol officers and repair shops to be on the lookout for a dark Dodge Avenger with front damage, based on evidence at the scene of Saturday's hit-run deaths of "eat 'em up, Tigers" chanter James Van Horn and widely recognized downtown staple Mike Alston.

That information comes from Police Chief James Craig, who spoke to reporters at his headquarters Monday afternoon.

The two men were struck around 2:30 a.m. Saturday near Eastern Market while crossing Gratiot at Russell. Alston, known as "Dreadlock Mike," lived nearby in a shared home.

Tips can be given to detectives at (313) 596-1462 or anonymously to Crimestoppers at (800) SPEAK-UP.

Van Horn's funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday in New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, 6330 Pembroke in Detroit (near Livernois, eight blocks west of Palmer Park .) C.W. Morris Funeral Home of Highland Park is handling arrangements and has an online guest book for condolences.

"The family . . . would like to thank everyone for 'pouring out love,' " says a Monday afternoon post by the administrator of a Facebook tributes page that has swelled to at least 17,350 "likes" since Saturday. "They are astonished at the level of caring the community has shown."

Alston's body hasn't been claimed yet, according to the same source.

Donations for both men's services are being collected at a YouCaring.com page, with nearly $3,800 given so far by 146 people. 

Sunday article:

Sometimes an urban region has touches of small-town life, reminders of the connections created by common touchstones. 

An example is unfolding this weekend in response to the hit-run deaths downtown of two familiar street characters, James Van Horn and Michael Alston. News of their sudden, dramatic passing has kindled affectionate online reminiscences about two men compared in one post to "uncles you see occasionally."


James Van Horn was so recognizable that season ticket holder Mike Riley made 12 dozen T-shirts with his image and slogan. 

They were killed around 2:30 a.m. Saturday near Eastern Market while crossing Gratiot at Russell near Eastern Market, according to The Detroit News and other media. 

The pair -- panhandlers who earned respect -- were familiar figures at Eastern Market, outside Comerica Park and in front of Joe Louis Arena.

"These poor men never knew how important they were to Detroit," Sarah McCann says in one of many Facebook tribuites.

Van Horn was known for chanting "eat 'em up Tigers" or "eat 'em up Wings" as he held a cup for donations. Alston, with a strikingly distinguished face, was called "Dreadlock Mike." He had lost his feet, used a wheelchair and shared a house on Scott Street near Gratiot in the Eastern Market area. 

Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer is among those commenting. "“All my family members and friends who come to the game knew that guy,” he says of Van Horn. “He was part of Detroit baseball culture.”

WXYZ sportscaster David Solano comments: "Van Horn carved out his niche to add to the game day experience." 


Michael Alston lived in a small home near Eastern Market, where Dave Jordano shot this portrait. "He was a wonderful man who was giving, loving, and kind," the photographer says.

Solano quotes Van Horn as telling him last month that he was born in Detroit and had been chanting his slogan outside stadiums "for about six years."  

Another admirer, Robert Cukr, posts online: "Those guys added character to the city."

Donations for funeral and burial costs are being collected at a YouCaring.com page started by Corey Haskins, where more than $1,550 had been raised by Sunday evening. 

A Find the Hit and Run Killer page set up Saturday on Facebook by an unidentified Eastern Market area resident has earned nearly 14,200 "likes" and hundreds of tributes.  

Its administrator also shared a message from Detroit Police Officer Scott Sheets, the lead investigator, who asks anyone with information to call (313) 596-1462. His note ends: "Thanks for the help!"

A local apparel company, Down with Detroit, is selling memorial T-shirts and says it has raised more than $3,300 as of Sunday morning. "All proceeds donated towards funeral and/or homeless-related charity," a Facebook post says. The gray shirts say "Eat 'em up forever, Rest in peace, James and Mike." 

These are among salutes to the victims on Facebook and under news coverage:

Jennifer Morse: Two lights have gone out in Detroit. So sad.

Mary Schwartz of Livonia: They both made such a difference and probably never knew!

Steve Gallis of Ferndale: "Watching the Tiger game last night and the chants started: "Eat em up Tigers." It was a nice touch for two Detroit Icons.

Mary Jane O'Neill: I would often see Mike around Temple and 4th/3rd Street on my way to work. Always tried to make sure I had some change to give him. He was always so polite and would exchange pleasantries each morning. I'm so sad to see this happen to this man. He had the most mesmerizing eyes I think I have ever seen, so full of kindness and intelligence. This is truly a sad day for Detroit and all who ever had the pleasure of meeting this man. 

Tom Baker: I just saw both of them Friday night on the way into the Tigers game. Sad day.

Frances Banka of Clarkston: The Tigers should honor them before a game and pay for a proper funeral to these two men who gave their fans so much joy and laughter over the years.

Kim Blair:  He [Van Horn] was an amazing individual that kept the Detroit fans' spirit up, win or lose.

Audra Kubat: Michael was very much an inspiration to me. . . . Saw him once on a night so cold that his beard was white from the ice that was forming on it. I just spoke to him two days ago. I hope they find the people who did this!

Dave Jordano, former Royal Oak resident now in Chicago: I took this photograph [below video at end of article] of Michael sitting on the front porch of the house he lived in. Contrary to what the news reported, he was not homeless. Michael lived in a tiny house on Scott Street just off of Gratiot that he shared with a few other people. . . .  He was a wonderful man who was giving, loving and kind, and understood what it meant to homeless because he had been there. I am in shock and so saddened by this tragedy and I will miss his kind face and beautiful personality. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

"Femm Noir:" I used to always run into him [Michael] at Eastern Market. He never asked for anything. I would ask him if he wanted anything and he'd say, "A health drink, I'm a vegetarian." He liked avocados too.

Johnnie Armstrong of Detroit: We bought our Sunday papers from Dreadlock Mike every Sunday morning at Gratiot/Vernor. Never met the Eat 'Em Up Tigers man, but I wish I had.

Carol Stone: Everyone has a past that they may or may not be proud of, but what really defines us is what we do after that, which becomes not only our future but our legacy. . . . RIP James and Michael, you touched more lives than you ever knew.

Tracy Wilks: Those eyes [Alston's] say SO much.  I'm numbed by this loss. Both were amazing men and I'm very thankful for the interaction I had with them.

Michelle Glass of Fraser: I agree there is a story in those eyes.

Kevin Roney: Definitely made an impression on me through the years, seeing and talking with this intelligent man [Alston]. Sad to see this happen.

Stacey Walls: I will miss him sitting at the corner!

Marissa Billadeau: So sad. Just saw him [Van Horn] at the Bon Jovi concert. He was saying "eat 'em up Bon Jovi, eat' em up."

David Franks of Warren: I am so regretful that I never spoke to James Van Horn. He never begged or got pushy, and from all accounts seems like a very decent human being.

Nicholas Yaklin of West Bloomfield: He [Van Horn] was a street performer, not a panhandler.

This 47-second clip of Van Horn in 2010 was posted by Kaylee Holmes:  


This evocative portrait by Bruce Giffin stimulates comments online this weekend. "Those eyes say SO much," posts Tracy Wilks.

 



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