On July 27, six-year-old Rylee Love was playing inside his home in Detroit when a stray bullet pierced the walls of his bedroom and ended his young life. His mother, Tarhesha Love, remembers him as “happy, bouncing, full of joy, full of energy. Loving, affectionate. My cuddle buddy.” Now, her family is grieving the unthinkable—the loss of a child to a senseless act of violence.

According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, three men have been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and other serious crimes in connection to Rylee’s death. Prosecutor Kym Worthy called Rylee “the ultimate innocent victim.” And she’s right—this tragedy shows, yet again, that when guns are fired recklessly in our neighborhoods, it’s our children who pay the price.

We cannot let Rylee’s name become just another headline. His life must mean something more.

That’s why we, the people of Detroit and beyond, are calling on Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, and the Detroit City Council to ensure full justice for Rylee Love and to take stronger steps to protect children from the violence that stole him from his family.

That means pursuing this case to its fullest extent under the law, and also committing to long-term community safety measures that prevent stray bullets from cutting lives short in the first place.

Every child deserves to feel safe in their own home. Every parent deserves to tuck their child in at night without fear that gunfire from outside will take them away.

Rylee’s mother said it best: “This could be one of your kids, one of your family members’ kids.” We must act now to make sure no family has to suffer the same heartbreak.

Sign this petition to demand justice for Rylee and to urge Detroit’s leaders to protect our children from the violence that continues to devastate families across our city.