An angry ex-boyfriend opened fire on his successor Wednesday night, and continued shooting as he followed the man to Beaumont, Dearborn where he committed suicide before police approached him.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
DEABORN – An angry ex-boyfriend opened fire on his successor Wednesday night, and continued shooting as he followed the man to Beaumont, Dearborn where he committed suicide before police approached him.
The trouble began on Caryn Street in Melvindale, where an ex-boyfriend encountered the new boyfriend on the road, Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said.
Witnesses from Caryn reported on social media that one vehicle was a black pickup, and the other was a white or silver car.
One Caryn witness reported on social media she really didn’t think the shooter would open fire, and was still shaking from witnessing the incident, which purportedly was captured by a resident on cell phone video.
Residents also reported on social media Wednesday evening that there were shell casings on Caryn.
Haddad said the ex-boyfriend had weapons, and started firing at the current boyfriend, after which a vehicle chase ensued.
The victim, who suffered a minor injury, drove to Beaumont. He reportedly reached 911 by cell phone when in the vicinity of Oakwood Boulevard and Prospect Street, reporting that he was on the move and being fired upon. The vehicles crossed into Allen Park en route to Dearborn.
Haddad said the victim had an unspecified minor injury and is expected to recover, and the assailant, who had multiple weapons, including an assault rifle, committed suicide behind the hospital.
Haddad said improved communication between officers due to the recently consolidated dispatch was a positive factor in the situation.
“A saving grace tonight is that we have consolidated dispatch that allowed us to consolidate all this information between Melvindale, Allen Park and (Dearborn),” Haddad said. “It did, in fact, allow us to respond with a much quicker speed and save a lot of lives tonight.”
Following the incident, the site of the suicide was cordoned off, but the hospital returned to normal status, with people directed to the south entrance of the building.
Haddad said there were no officer or bystander injuries. He said Dearborn officers spotted the vehicles and followed them onto the hospital grounds.
“Officers took appropriate, swift action to bring this thing to an end,” Haddad said.
(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected].)