Charity basketball event for Khalil Amari Allen canceled after threats, WSU donates $10,000
The charity basketball game in honor of metro Detroit teenager Khalil Amari Allen, who was killed in a drive-by shooting last summer, was canceled after the venue reported threats making the event unsafe.
The celebrity basketball game and fundraiser, Seize the Smoke, was planned for the Wayne State Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon, organized by Allen’s parents who started the nonprofit in his name to stem the tide of gun violence in Detroit.
Wayne State said it received credible threats during the week forcing it to cancel the event on Thursday and it would dedicate $10,000 to the foundation in its place.
“While we regret the necessity of canceling this event, the decision was made in the interests of the safety of our university community, which is always our top priority. Within the past day, our police department received credible threats of intent to harm spectators and organizers of this event,” Matt Lockwood, associate vice president of university communications, said in a statement sent to the Free Press on Saturday.
The Wayne State University Police Department did not respond to immediate requests for comment regarding the number and nature of the threatening calls.
Participants scheduled to appear at the event included former NBA player Derrick Coleman, filmmaker DeJuan Ford, and Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK-TV) anchor Josh Landon.
Allen, 18, of Southfield, was killed in a drive-by shooting in July 2023 shortly after graduating from University High School Academy in Lathrup Village. He had been on a food run when his Jeep Cherokee was shot 18 times on Detroit’s west side, killing him instantly.
More: 'How many more?' Southfield teen shot, killed weeks before heading off to college
Brandon Allen and DeLisa Glaspie, the teenager’s parents, told the Metro Times on Tuesday they were encouraged to start a nonprofit after receiving help from Peoples Community Anti-Violence Association, Ceasefire Detroit and FORCE Detroit after their son’s death.
“Seize the Smoke simply means we’re going to demand a stop to this and we’re gonna hold everyone accountable for fulfilling their roles — parents, judges, politicians, legislators, and all that’s involved to clean these streets up to make this movement move forward,” Glaspie told the Metro Times.
Seize the Smoke announced on social media the event would be rescheduled at a later date. Representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Free Press.
The Free Press will continue reporting on this ongoing story.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Charity basketball event canceled after threats, WSU donates $10,000
