FLINT, MICHIGAN – JULY 31, 2025-Authorities have confirmed the identity of the young man killed in a mass shooting early Sunday morning on Flint’s north side. William Joseph Smith, age 25, tragically lost his life in a hail of gunfire at the Van Club, located at the corner of Industrial Drive and Pasadena Avenue, during what officials described as a large gathering around 4:00 a.m.
Smith was one of five people struck by bullets in the early morning attack. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. As of Monday, the remaining four victims were listed in critical condition. By Thursday, the Flint Police Department had not issued updates on their recovery status.
This mass shooting marked only one in a wave of four separate but closely timed violent events that erupted across Flint’s north side early that morning, sending shockwaves throughout the community.
A Morning of Violence
Shortly after the incident at the Van Club, another shooting occurred just two blocks north, at the intersection of Industrial Avenue and Carton Street. That gunfire is believed to have stemmed from a road rage incident involving individuals fleeing the original crime scene. Details remain scarce, and police have not confirmed the extent of injuries in this second episode.
Minutes later, a 41-year-old man was shot at the Marathon gas station on N. Saginaw Street. Investigators suspect he may have been involved in the earlier road rage-related shooting.
In a separate and equally devastating event, a shooting at a home in the 600 block of Stewart Avenue left three cousins wounded — two females and a male. One of the women later died from her injuries. The other two remain in critical condition, adding to the toll from a night that has deeply shaken the city.
Remembering William Joseph Smith
Friends and family of William Smith are left shattered by his sudden and senseless death. Described by those who knew him as warm, generous, and full of potential, Smith was attending the event at the Van Club when gunfire broke out — cutting his life short.
“William was the kind of person who lit up a room. He didn’t deserve to die like this,” a family member said. “He was a son, a friend, and a man with dreams.”
Smith’s family is preparing for funeral services, which are expected to be announced in the coming days. His passing has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who loved him.
Public Appeal for Information
As the investigation unfolds, Crime Stoppers has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Flint Police Department has not released any names of suspects nor disclosed a possible motive. They are urging anyone with knowledge about the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation.
“We need the public’s help,” said a department spokesperson. “Justice for William and the other victims depends on those who were there or nearby to speak up.”
City Demands Change
In the aftermath of the shootings, local leaders and residents are pleading for change. Many have called for increased safety measures, greater law enforcement visibility, and deeper investments in violence prevention programs.
“This city is bleeding, and we can’t sit on our hands any longer,” said community advocate Ta’Niyah Jordan. “William’s death should be a wake-up call to all of us.”
As families grieve, police work overtime, and residents reflect on the toll of gun violence, the north side of Flint remains under a cloud of sorrow. The life of William Joseph Smith, full of promise and prematurely ended, is now a symbol of the urgent need for peace and accountability in Flint’s streets.
Anyone with information regarding the Van Club shooting or the other incidents from that morning is urged to contact Flint Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL. All tips can remain anonymous.
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