Dempsey's girlfriend, Allie Navarre, told Michigan Live the shooting had nothing to do with him and he was killed attempting to break up a fight.

Navarre, who was not at the

Dempsey's girlfriend, Allie Navarre, told Michigan Live the shooting had nothing to do with him and he was killed attempting to break up a fight.

Navarre, who was not at the party with Dempsey, had three children with the victim, ages seven, five and 10 months. Navarre is currently pregnant with their fourth, a baby girl due in December.

Dempsey leaves behind 17 children, his oldest being 15 years old while his youngest is nine months old.

"He left a lot of them behind," LaToyia Dempsey, Rickey's sister, told Michigan Live. "He did do for all of them...the best way he could."

According to LaToyia, Dempsey was excited to be working and had been employed in construction. 

Last year, Dempsey was released from federal prison after serving about four years for a list of charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

However, while in prison, Dempsey earned his GED and various certificates, including a forklift license, and was determined to get back on track when he got out. 

"He just really tried to change his life around and do for the better, focus on his kids," Navarre told Michigan Live.