Christopher Haxel, and Matt Mencarini

Lansing

LANSING - Violence erupted near a south Lansing church on Tuesday as friends and family gathered at a funeral for a Lansing native who was gunned down in Jackson 10 days earlier.

Gunshots sounded outside Solid Rock Baptist Church on South Pennsylvania Avenue as the service for Akive Ahmad Ty'Juan Edwards was beginning around noon. Lansing police said they believe the shooting was related to the funeral.

No injuries were reported in the incident, although the gunfire may have damaged a silver sport-utility vehicle found several blocks from the church, police indicated.

On Tuesday afternoon, investigators had identified two possible suspects and two vehicles possibly involved in the incident and were working with Jackson police on the investigation, Lansing Capt. Darin Southworth said He did not release descriptions of the suspects or vehicles.

Edwards, also known as "Booker," died May 28 at a hospital after being shot in the backyard of a residence in the 1100 block of South Milwaukee Street in Jackson, said Deputy Chief Elmer Hitt, of the Jackson Police Department.

Edwards was found by Jackson police in a vehicle that crashed into a house a few blocks away. Hitt said police believe he was trying to drive to the hospital.

The shooting occurred around 3:20 a.m., he said, and there was a gathering of people at the house where police believe Edwards was shot. No arrests or warrants have been issued, Hitt said. He didn't release a motive for Edwards' shooting.

Lansing police had a patrol car near the church moments before Tuesday's shooting, but officers had left the car to go get another patrol vehicle and did not witness the shooting, Southworth said.

Shanon Hooks, 49, who lives across the street from the church, said he was awoken by nine gunshots in two volleys of gunfire.

Police closed one lane of Pennsylvania Avenue near the church and searched the street and yards on both sides of the road for evidence.

A silver SUV with a shattered rear window was located on Riley Street, several blocks north of the church. Southworth said that vehicle was being treated as part of the incident at the church.

As Edwards’ funeral ended about 1:30 p.m., dozens of people gathered in front of the church, and a brief scuffle appeared to break out before police instructed about a dozen congregants to leave the scene. Within minutes, the funeral procession departed with a police escort and made its way to Evergreen Cemetery for Edwards’ burial.

A phone message left with the church seeking comment was not returned.

Ken Palmer and Matt Mencarini contributed to this report.