New rules in place for tailgating in Eastern Market after fatal double shooting

detroit — Football fans should buy tickets to future parties at Eastern Market and leave their weapons behind.

After a deadly double shooting which was sparked by an argument at a tailgate party on September 15 after a Detroit Lions game at nearby Ford Field, Eastern Market has implemented new rules for tailgaters. The new regulations include designating private property as a gun-free zone and requiring attendees to purchase tickets: $70 plus a $6.54 fee for a single parking space, and $280 and a $20.62 fee for a bus.

According to the Mercado Oriental websiteTickets are sold out for Sunday’s party that begins at 9 a.m. before the Detroit Lions’ game against the Tennessee Titans.

Detroit police officers and private security will patrol the events, an Eastern Market official said.

Sunday will be the first tailgating party at Eastern Market since the shooting. After the incident, the Lions had a bye week, two road games and a no-party Monday night game at Ford Field, giving Eastern Market officials weeks to come up with a plan for events. futures, said spokesperson Katy Trudeau.

“Eastern Market worked closely with the Detroit Police Department on the operational changes and we believe they will support the return to the long-standing, family-friendly events that so many have enjoyed over the years. “We look forward to welcoming Lions fans back to Eastern Market,” Trudeau said in a statement.

According to an Eastern Market press release: “Firearms are strictly prohibited. This extends to both real weapons and facsimile weapons, such as toy guns, swords, knives, axes or bombs that may be part of a costume”.

The new rules come after authorities said Jalen Welch, 25, pulled out a gun during an argument. A 40-year-old Oak Park man, who had a concealed pistol license, acted in self-defense when he shot Welch, although the bullet passed through Welch and struck 40-year-old Rayshawn Palmer. According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, the shooter acted on his own. -defense, and Palmer was a “totally innocent bystander.”

Other new rules that have been implemented since the incident include:

Tickets must be purchased at easternmarket.org.
The tailgate and parking lots will open approximately four hours before kickoff, at 9 a.m. for 1 p.m. games; noon for 4 pm games; 4 pm to 8 pm games.
Selling items, soliciting promotional events or marketing activities by tailgaters is prohibited.
All parking lots close and vehicles must be removed within one hour after games, and overnight parking is not permitted.
No fryers or cooking oil allowed. Only self-igniting gas or charcoal grills are permitted in the drive-thru area. Lighter fluid is prohibited.
Vehicle following is permitted only in posted lots and not on public streets, sidewalks, private property or alleys.
Alcohol must be contained within tailgate lots and underage drinking is prohibited.
Tents larger than 10×10 are prohibited.

“Upon arrival, ticket holders must present their Eventbrite ticket for scanning and will receive a vehicle hangtag for two designated adjacent parking spots and 10 wristbands for up to 10 people approaching their vehicle per area,” it says. the Eastern Market press release. “While this reduces the number of spots available per game, those spaces are now larger and can safely accommodate your vehicle, equipment and guests.”

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