Detroit's worst mass shooting is unsolved.
The Hazelwood massacre stands as one of Detroit's most harrowing unsolved crimes. In the early hours of June 14, 1971, eight African-American individuals were fatally shot in a red-brick house at 1970 Hazelwood Street. Seven victims died instantly; the eighth, Robert Gardner—a known heroin dealer and pimp—succumbed to his injuries six days later. The victims, aged between 19 and 27, included both men and women, some of whom had ties to drug and prostitution activities. Three of the women were found with their hands bound using surgical tubing, and all were shot in the head at close range. The assailants used at least three different firearms: a .30-caliber carbine, a .32-caliber pistol, and a .45-caliber automatic. Despite the brutality, valuables like cash and drugs remained untouched, suggesting the motive was not robbery. Investigators theorized that Gardner was the primary target, possibly due to a prior incident where he allegedly robbed two Toronto-based drug dealers. This theory was bolstered by the subsequent murder of Gerald Williams, an associate of Gardner, just days after the massacre. Despite extensive investigations, no arrests were made, and the case remains unsolved, marking it as Detroit's deadliest mass murder to date.