On Sunday night, what began as a casual gathering to watch the Detroit Lions game turned into tragedy for 44-year-old Francesk Shkambi of Howell. Around 9:38 p.m., deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at Prime 7, located at 8635 Cooley Lake Road in Commerce Township, following reports of gunfire during the watch party.
Arriving officers found Shkambi lying on the patio outside the restaurant. Deputies and paramedics from the Commerce Township Fire Department immediately began life-saving efforts and rushed him to a hospital. Despite their efforts, Shkambi later succumbed to his injuries, leaving family, friends and fellow patrons stunned.
About 20 minutes after the shooting, a 65-year-old man from Farmington Hills turned himself in to authorities. He was taken into custody by the sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Team without incident. Investigators recovered a 9 mm handgun believed to have been used in the incident, and noted the weapon had been previously reported stolen. The suspect is currently held at the Oakland County Jail as detectives prepare their case for the prosecutors.
So far, investigators have not clarified what sparked the confrontation or whether the suspect and Shkambi knew each other. Detectives are gathering evidence and expect to present the case to prosecutors on Tuesday for potential charges.
In the wake of the shooting, Prime 7 posted a message on Facebook informing the public it would remain closed on Monday due to a “family emergency,” and expected to reopen Tuesday. The restaurant cited the emotional impact of the incident on its staff and guests as the reason for the temporary closure.
The tragic event has shaken the Commerce Township community and left many regulars of the restaurant in disbelief. An outing meant for camaraderie and sport has turned into a scene of sorrow and questions — about safety, about chance, and about what happens when routine quickly becomes unacceptable.
As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Meanwhile, the loss of Francesk Shkambi looms heavy, his presence absent in a space where he should have simply been cheering on his team.
