DPD Chief Craig: kick to head fatal blow in beating death of Berkley man

BERKLEY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Berkley is showing support with white ribbons lining street after street for 24-year-old Tyler Wingate, brutally beaten to death because of a car accident.

"Hearing about what happened to that kid, it's just unbelievable," said Justin Copeland. "I don't understand why people do that. It's ridiculous."

While the city is showing support to Wingate's heartbroken family, Detroit police are on the hunt for his suspected killer: 23-year-old Lawrence Davis.

"I guess the number one question is why did this happen?" said Detroit Police Chief James Craig. 

Detroit police say Monday at 2 a.m., Wingate and Davis got into a car accident outside a gas station on Davison and Livernois.
 
"This young man did nothing and it appeared that he was trying to cooperate," Craig said.

But surveillance video shows Davis walking right up to Wingate and punching him in the face. 

"The suspect became enraged and unprovoked, began to strike this victim several times, knocking him to the ground," Craig said.

Much of the video is too graphic to show. Police say it appears, with witnesses standing by, that Davis continued to punch, kick, and even stomp on Wingate. 

The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office says the young man died from blunt force trauma to his head and neck.

"It may have been the final kick by the suspect to the victim's head that may have been the fatal blow," Craig said.

Craig says one of the most disturbing parts about all of this is that after the fatal blow, Davis even checked on Wingate. 

"It appears he attempted to render some kind of aid and checked his pulse and just left the scene," Craig said. "Tragic."

MORE COVERAGE:

Suspect in deadly beating after traffic crash had no license, didn't own car

Video shows Berkley man beaten to death after early morning car crash on Detroit's west side

FOX 2: "What about the other guys Davis was with? Do you think they are involved; do you think they might know where he is?"

"Right now if we find out who they are, they will be arrested. (We'll ask) what do you know? We need cooperation," Craig said.

Now with tips continuously coming in, Detroit police say the case is now in the hands of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
 
 "Lawrence James Davis if you're seeing this, turn yourself in," Craig said. "Do yourself a favor, we have identified you, people are going to call us, turn yourself in."

The family of Tyler Wingate has a GoFundMe account for his funeral CLICK HERE:

Anyone with information is asked to call Detroit police homicide at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, where you will remain anonymous.