Detroit Restaurateur Michael (Mike B) Brown Fatally Shot, Two Injured

Michael "Mike B." Brown, a prominent Detroit restaurateur who built the Sloppy brand, was killed in a triple shooting outside Suite 100 at 15789 Schaefer, Detroit police said, and two other people were shot and survived. Officers were called to the scene at approximately 4:30 a.m., and investigators have not announced any arrests as of March 5.

In an official statement, Detroit Police Department media relations manager Jasmin Barmore wrote, “At approximately 4:30 a.m., Saturday, there was a triple shooting that occurred at 15789 Schaefer,” Detroit Police Department media relations manager Jasmin Barmore wrote in an official statement Sunday afternoon. “Two of the vicims were found in front of the location and the third across the street from the location. Unfortunately, the victim found across the street from the location, Mikey Brown, succumbed to his injuries."

Brown was described in local coverage as a longtime nightlife mainstay and the proprietor of restaurants under the Sloppy brand, including Sloppy Chops, which opened in 2020 on West McNichols just off the Lodge Freeway, and Sloppy Crab on East Jefferson. Reporting has given Brown two ages: the Detroit News lists him as 51, while other local reports gave his age as 52; funeral notices and the family or Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services should be consulted to confirm his age.

Sources differ slightly on cross streets and the day of the week. Clickondetroit and the DPD statement place the call at about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, to Suite 100 on Schaefer near Fenkell Street, while Freep reported Suite 100 on Schaefer near Puritan Avenue and the Detroit News described the shooting as occurring around 4:30 a.m. Sunday in the 15000 block of Schaefer Highway. Multiple reports confirm the address 15789 Schaefer and that two victims were found in front of the establishment while Brown was found across the street and later died.

Police and investigators have asked the public for information. “Investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward.” No suspect description had been released as of Monday afternoon, and the Detroit News on March 5 reiterated that no arrests had been announced. The DPD Homicide Unit can be reached at (313) 596-2260, and anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers or Detroit Rewards TV.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through Detroit’s hospitality community and prompted public debate about late-night operations. Pastor Maurice “Mo” Hardwick, founder of the Live in Peace Movement, said, “Detroit loves him,” and added, “He was a real Detroiter who was about people, community and about uplifting life.” Hardwick added, “It doesn’t represent him and his character,” and said, “Community was embedded in him and you could feel it in his food and his demeanor when you approached him very approachable. Just loved the city of Detroit. Loved his people.” Clickondetroit also reported that the incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter rules on late-night bars and after-hours establishments, and social posts indicated Suite 100 posted closures after the shooting.

Funeral arrangements were announced by the Detroit News: a service is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 13 at the North Campus of Triumph Church, 15600 J. L. Hudson Drive in Southfield, with a family hour beginning at 9 a.m., coordinated by Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services. As investigators continue the homicide probe, investigators and local leaders are weighing the shooting’s impact on a hospitality scene where Brown had been actively expanding his restaurants and courting a loyal local following with menu items such as ribeyes, tomahawks and popular lamb chop specials.