What began as a community celebration turned tragic over the weekend when a pre-arranged fight between high school students escalated into deadly violence near the Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival. Authorities have now identified Logan Wilhelm, a student believed to be involved in the altercation, as the young man who lost his life in the incident.
According to a statement from the New Baltimore Police Department, the fight took place Saturday evening in the vicinity of Walter & Mary Burke Park, a popular waterfront gathering spot just steps from the bustling festival grounds. Police say the altercation had been planned in advance by groups of students from Anchor Bay High School and Dakota High School in Macomb Township.
Initial law enforcement presence in the downtown area appeared to deter the gathering temporarily, but the confrontation later resumed a few blocks away, near Green Street and Washington Street. Multiple juveniles were reportedly detained at the scene, and at least one individual was rushed to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.
That individual was later identified as Logan Wilhelm, who tragically succumbed to his injuries. His death has shocked both school communities and the greater New Baltimore area, turning a weekend of festivities into one of heartbreak and reflection.
Police described the brawl as an “isolated, pre-planned incident” and emphasized that there was no ongoing threat to the public. Still, the incident has raised serious questions about youth violence, event security, and the role of social media in organizing such confrontations.
Witnesses and local commentators on social media reported that tensions had been building between students from the two schools prior to the festival. It is not yet known what prompted the specific altercation, but investigators are working to gather more information from those involved and others who may have witnessed the events unfold.
The Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival, which draws an estimated 80,000 visitors annually to downtown New Baltimore, had been in full swing at the time of the fight. The event is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, food vendors, and entertainment. Organizers have not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.
Police are urging anyone with video footage or information to come forward as the investigation continues. Tips can be submitted by contacting the New Baltimore Police Department at (586) 725-2181.
As families across Macomb County mourn the loss of Logan Wilhelm, grief counselors are being made available to students and staff at both high schools. The community is left grappling with how a celebration meant to bring people together ended in senseless tragedy.