Deon Wiley III, 17, was fatally shot in Saginaw, Michigan, days before Saginaw United High School’s graduation ceremonies. Videos from his prom send-off showing him holding a stack of cash went viral, and reports say he was later killed outside a convenience s
Deon Wiley III only got to live the prom moment once on camera. By the time graduation week arrived, his family and classmates were left preparing for a loss they never asked to face.
Deon. 17. was fatally shot in Saginaw. Michigan. just days before he was set to be honored by Saginaw United High School. Videos circulating online show Deon at his prom send-off holding a stack of cash while standing beside his date in a gray suit. Reports later said he was allegedly killed at a prom party after clips of him flexing cash went viral.
According to MLive. the case left Saginaw United High School “heartbroken” after reports revealed Deon was fatally shot outside of a convenience store following a prom party on Friday. May 22. The incident appears to remain open, with the latest reports indicating that no suspects have been taken into custody.
At the school’s graduation ceremony on Tuesday. May 26. Deon’s mother. Precious Sherman. walked across the stage and accepted his diploma in his honor. Footage from the event shows members of the Class of 2026 crossing the stage to receive their diplomas. while Saginaw United Principal Eric Gordon paused to give Deon his own moment. Deon’s mom stepped onto the stage wearing the same gray cap and gown as Deon’s classmates.
“We celebrate because we started a journey 13 years ago when we started kindergarten. We mourn because our friend, our classmate, Deon Wiley, is not here to celebrate. Remember Deon in everything that he brought with him. as a friend. as an associate. as a classmate. ” Principal Gordon said during the graduation ceremony.
The story of Deon’s prom clips didn’t stop with the school day. As the news of his passing spread across social media, Attorney Ben Crump spoke out on Instagram. He reposted a video of Deon and shared a GoFundMe campaign created to help cover Deon’s funeral expenses. In his caption, Ben Crump wrote, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”.
Ben Crump’s post drew a flood of responses in the comments—some expressing condolences, others focusing on the violence and what people believed led to the tragedy. Instagram user @heyhannahnatl wrote, “Poor kid, he really didn’t deserve any of this.”
Instagram user @charl3_buck3t said, “So sad. Remember, keep your financial successes and failures to yourself. Envy can be dangerous.”
Instagram user @comicstevebrown posted, “Just damn 💔💔 I really hate this.. We have got to stop all of this flashy stuff and handle our business.”
But not everyone blamed Deon’s viral moment. Instagram user @themirfactor wrote, “We should keep the focus on trying to find those responsible for this young man’s death instead of criticizing him for having a feel good moment!!!”
More comments reflected the grief and anger felt by strangers watching a teenager’s life end. Instagram user @blackgeorgetown wrote, “Why can’t our children enjoy childhood?” Instagram user @ashher23 added, “I can’t imagine losing a child. May God grant his family peace.”
Others called Deon’s death senseless. Instagram user @chef_jerome_brown wrote, “This is horrible. A senseless act of murder.” Instagram user @millies_18 said, “This world is so evil!! 😢🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽”
Still more pointed to jealousy and the danger of being targeted for what someone has. Instagram user @bdy4days wrote, “There are jealous people in this world jealous of what you have. Shame you cant go get your own but have to harm someone to get it. Your soul is off.”
Deon Wiley III Saginaw Michigan prom night graduation Saginaw United High School Precious Sherman Eric Gordon Ben Crump GoFundMe viral prom video teenager killed
This is so sad man.
So he was shot outside a convenience store after a prom party? And nobody’s been caught yet? That’s terrifying. Also the cash video like… people really don’t think before posting.
I saw the part about the prom send-off with cash and everybody online was like “smh” but you never know what was going on. I don’t get how they can say it’s open/open case like that. If they played it at graduation wouldn’t that mean they knew more? Maybe it’s just rumors still.
Bro prom flex videos always end up like this. Like everyone thinks it’s just for clout but then somebody comes looking, idk. They say outside a convenience store, but was it actually the same day as the prom party? And where was security at the school or whatever? It sucks his mom accepted the diploma but that’s cold, like nothing should’ve gotten to that point.