Man jumped by 8 men at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday on East University
A man reported that he was jumped by 8 men this morning in the 600 block of East University Avenue near the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor police said.
The 22-year-old man and one of his friends left a pizza restaurant at 2:30 a.m., when the men started following him and calling him names, police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said.
One of the men pulled a knife, Bush said. The men started punching the victim and knocked him to the ground, police said.
Bush said the victim's friend intervened and pulled at least one of the men away, bringing an end to the attack. The victim called 911. Several patrol cars were in the area and officers were on scene in less than a minute, Bush said, but did not see any groups of men.
The victim had bumps over each eye and a small cut under his left eye, Bush said. It's unclear why he was targeted. Nothing was taken from him.
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
brian
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 4:37 a.m.
I'll stay in Ypsi thank you.
andralisa
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
Ann Arbor Campus is a go to place for these little thugs that come from mostly outside the city, and they are sure as heck not townies. They do it because they know the students/young people are probably not sober this time of night and are easy prey. They are punks that need to be dealt with, staying home... you let them win. No way will I ever be told where I can or cannot go in my home town even if I am NOT a young person mr. tom, and no way will students ever change their late night party behavior.
thecompound
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
Hey, since aa.com took down the comment alleging more details of this incident (i.e. descriptions of all involved), is anyone at aa.com going to give further information about this incident and those involved or is this just going to be buried?
Tony Dearing
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
We will update this story as more information becomes available. We do publish descriptions of suspects when they are available. If the only available information is the race of the suspects, we do not publish that because it does not provide enough detail to help identify the suspects.
The Picker
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
This story sounds similar to incidents taking place all over the country, fueled by web sites and texting. I'll have to do some further research. Maybe Lee could provide more info on the perps to clarify this. Anyone have any further knowledge about this type of flash mugging?
John A2
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
I assumed there are plenty of cams but I was corrected. Well there were lots of cops before. SORRY about that.
Momma G
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
Just talking about this subject last night with former classmates from AAHS. This isn't a change at all. AA has always had this problem and it will continue until parents teach their kids how to respect one another and take responsibility for themselves, too. Sure hope surveilance cameras help and that AAnews.com posts "good" pics for us to view and help identify.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Is that so? Why isn't it working on murderers then?
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
It is. These criminals eventually graduate to murder, and then they finally get locked up. At that point, they're so far gone that only permanent incarceration helps. My point is that our lax judicial system creates career criminals. We need to use prison earlier, while there's still a chance of reforming the individual. Of course, we need to separate the career criminals from the first-time offenders within the prisons, or there will be cross-contamination.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
In ref to Macabre Sunset
CynicA2
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
There's a lot more of this stuff in the past few years than previously, particularly in the campus areas. Perhaps this is because more young people are unemployed nowadays, particularly over the summer. Still, people have the right to be safe, regardless of what time it is. With fewer eyes on the street, police resources are stretched thin, relative to past years, so it's easier for the perps to slip away. Sooner or later, someone WILL pull a gun and use it on their attackers, so it might be wise to cage some of these characters before someone finds a more permanent solution to their problems.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.
If we concede our city to the criminals after midnight, pretty soon we'll be conceding our city to the criminals after dark (which is around 4:30 during the winter). And then, of course, we'll soon be conceding our city during daylight hours. If criminals know they will face a long prison sentence if they're caught attacking a stranger, the violence will stop. Right now, they know they will face a little bit of probation at worst unless they kill someone.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
That's why we have to change their attitudes before they become career criminals. I think we should build more prisons. It will save money in the long run, because the cost of these crimes is enormous.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
Macabre. It has been proven that criminal rarely think of the consequences of jail time when they commit a crime simply because they don;t think they are going to get caught or simply don't care. Therefore, long prison term does nothing to deter overall crime. It only cost us taxpayers a fortune to incarcerate these guys. If you have follow some national developments, there has been quite a few of these gang beatings lately in the Philly area down in Mississippi and right here at home in the Willow Run areas where kids are engaging in these staged fights. I think there is a tremendous mental health issue going on with these kids and they are acting out these tendencies through group violence. Ann Arbor is not immuned to this type of violence.
Alan Goldsmith
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
"Several patrol cars were in the area and officers were on scene in less than a minute, Bush said, but did not see any groups of men." Several? Define ' several'. Three? Five? Ten?
Wehrwolf
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.
8 vs. 2 - can you say disparity of force? - plus one with a deadly weapon (a knife according to the report) -- that doesn't leave very much room for "alternate methods of conflict resolution", especially if you're being actively assaulted and knocked to the ground. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't run very fast if I've been knocked off my feet.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
2006 PA 309 and 2006 PA 313. Learn it.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:24 a.m.
Matt, Matt, Matt - so I shouldn't believe in the law? Michigan's new "No Retreat" laws go into effect on October 1, 2006. Prior to this upcoming change, the law stated that generally, you have a duty to retreat before using deadly force. By law, a person must avoid using deadly force if he can safely do so. "Duty to retreat" means that you must attempt to physically escape or evade a confrontation. There were three exceptions to this rule; 1) if you are attacked suddenly and violently, 2) if you cannot retreat safely, 3) if you are in your home or its attached appurtenances. The new law says you have no duty to retreat, before using deadly or non-deadly force, anywhere you have a legal right to be. Of course, you still may only use deadly force if you are in imminent danger of being killed, seriously injured or sexually assaulted. The new laws are 2006 PA 309 and 2006 PA 313. Prior to this new legislation, the rules on using deadly force and the "duty to retreat" were case law (common law) based. The new statutes codifies much of the law but also states that except as specifically modified, the common law as it existed on October 1, 2006 remains unchanged. <a href="http://www.mcrgo.org/mcrgo/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mcrgo.org/mcrgo/</a>
Boo Radley
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
Matt, The legal requirment for using deadly force is that you must reasonably feel that your life is in danger. If an assailant pulls a knife and threatens you with it, you are not legally required to pull your own knife so that things are even. Using a firearm to defend your life against a knife attack is definitely not an illegal "escalation of force".
Matt Cooper
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
ok. You keep thinking that.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
No but in this case, with the facts presented, Disparity of force and a deadly weapon = fear of death or great bodily injury = "Stand your ground" = no doubtful you will be going to prison for a "good" shoot. Need the law cite?
Matt Cooper
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Yes. So you pull out your handgun, draw down on several of the attackers and open fire. Let's say you kill one of them. Guess who goes to prison? YOU! And God help you if you accidentally shoot any passersby that had nothing to do with their attack on you or your little shooting spree. There are obviously important facts that are missing from the story as reported here, but it's foolish to think that the introduction of a firearm is always the best answer (the law says that if you escalate the level of violence you are guilty of any crimes that come after that escalation, and introducing a gun would be considered an elevation of the level of violence), because the plain and simple truth is that it is NOT always the best answer.
Buster W.
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
Nothing good happens after midnig...dark.
nicole
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
Why is it we can't get a physical description of the attackers? If this for the sake of PC again? Come on. Who's doing this, we have a right to know.
Amanda Erickson
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
Nicole... see my reply below.
Jake C
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
As someone who was physically assaulted walking around campus at late at night back in '98 (late fall, not summer) I can attest that this isn't some new scary phenomenon -- a situation that I'm sure anyone who's lived in town for more than 5 years can agree to. This stuff will always happen, and it usually ends up with everyone walking away more or less unharmed after the testosterone dies down and the alcohol wears off. Even though my assault left me shaken for a few days, I learned a lesson that I shouldn't walk around by myself at night and I should be more aware of my surroundings. I also learned that just running away at full-speed is a valid self-defense tactic, especially in a 3-on-1 assault. Jean-Claude Van Damme, I ain't. So I'm annoyed at the inevitable comments that pop up in response to stories like this one, dropping "vague hints" that the solution to any physical violence problem is to pull out a gun and shoot the aggressor. I've been taught that the only time you pull a gun out is when you absolutely know someone's life is in danger and you're willing to immediately kill the aggressor. It's not a "scare tactic", and it's not something you do when someone's being a jerk or wants your wallet. There's plenty of good reasons to own a gun and there are precious few situations where it's acceptable to use one. Even if I'd been wearing a concealed pistol when I was assaulted (and I would never take one to a campus bar or frat party), I'm smart & well-trained enough with firearms to realize that as long as alternate methods of conflict resolution exist, you don't pull out a gun.
Grimey
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
Thanks Jake C. Finally someone with some sense.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 10:56 p.m.
not THE answer but a possible solution. I do also agree that you don't draw unless your intention is to IMMEDIATELY use it to save your life though. Glad you were able and fast enough to get away. How about those that aren't? Is it ok for those to carry then?
Matt Cooper
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
I've lived "in town" for nearly 40 years, and I can tell you that incidents like these are not nearly as common as you portray. Sure, there are incidents every fall and spring whereby college boys like to flex their muscles and show off for the chicks by getting into a fight here and there, but let's not act as if we're living in Beirut. As for your points on those that think shooting someone is the answer for every problem they encounter, I totally agree that it is far more often NOT the answer.
Michigan Man
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
Sounds like more "flash mobs" on the U of M campus?
Cindy Heflin
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
We'd like to remind readers of our conversation guidelines. Comments may not presume guilt on the part of the accused, blame the victim, make blanket generalizations about groups of people, or speculate about factors that haven't been reported, among other things. Full guidelines here: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/about/annarborcom-conversation-guidelines-comment-moderation/">http://www.annarbor.com/about/annarborcom-conversation-guidelines-comment-moderation/</a>. Thank you in advance for adhering to this policy.
Davidian
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.
BTW--physical description of the attackers please?
Davidian
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:05 p.m.
Last I checked, a fist can't stop a bullet. That's a warning to the thugs and a recommendation to the young men that are being vicitimized.
Jake C
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
Well, a bullet going through a fist could prevent it from going through your brain. And a bullet can't stop another bullet, which could result in two (or more) people in the hospital or morgue. This fight ended up with one guy getting a few bruises, and everyone went home. A fairly good outcome, all things considered. Not trying to speculate here, but consider the situation where a victim or his companion actually did have a gun and decided it would have escalated the situation unnecessarily had they pulled them out. That maybe walking away with a few bruises was better than killing another person, even in self-defense. This stream of comments to every crime-related story that claim the answer to every problem is "shoulda had a gun" is getting tired.
John A2
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
Eight men, and targeted one of two totally innocent guys that just came from pizza. It could happen, but WHERE'S the beef. I'm sure that these men didn't just vanish into thin air, they had to go somewhere. So, this means that they will be back. What did they say to these two men or what transpired before the beating. The gang focused on one guy and allowed the other to pull them off the other without harming the second guy. HMMMMM, there must be much more to this. Maybe, Just Maybe, one of these two guys picked on one of the eight and went and got some friends and returned to confront the guy who had picked on him earlier, or something like that. If it where a gang bang, the both of them would have been harmed, not just the one, especially after trying to pull them off the other. I think the other may have been involved too. Now everyone knows that there are lots of cameras on campus and with the rapist scare, there must be a heavy load of undercover cops as well. Maybe just maybe this was not at all what it appears to be.
West of Main
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
<a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/u-m-student-group-announces-ordinance-to-restrict-use-of-police-surveillance-cameras/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/u-m-student-group-announces-ordinance-to-restrict-use-of-police-surveillance-cameras/</a>
West of Main
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
"Now everyone knows that there are lots of cameras on campus." There are?
Marilyn Wilkie
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
This seems to be happening a lot. There seems to be more reports of groups of men assaulting people. Are they the same people each time? Or is this a new trend? Do the police need to start breaking up all assembled groups of men? I don't say "young" men because to me that should make no difference. People should not live in fear.
smokeblwr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.
Every summer we get reports of large gangs of "young men" who wander the campus area looking for easy targets to beat up and rob. Is it the same group every year or just another band of gypsies popping into Ann Arbor and then getting back on I94 to perpetuate their misdeeds elsewhere?
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
Mayhap I need to reconsider going from a 18+1 9mm to an 8+1 45... 2 each if necessary is better than 1 each as needed...
Independent_Thinker
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
The high cap of the 9 mil also jumped into my mind when I read this story Rice.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.
BTW "And if it was 8 guns against 2 guns you'd be dead" if I'm already under attack, I still might be dead. Sorry if the attempt to save my own life offends thee.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
hmm, haven't been mugged since I was a kid when I lived near Harlem, NYC. And especially not in the last few years. Must be doing something right...
Catherine Bosma
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
I appreciate the sentiment and all, you know, being prepared, not taking any guff from anyone. But I wonder, have you ever been mugged or jumped? It's damn scary, I'll tell ya that. I had two guns pressed to my head a couple of years ago and had I had a gun, they would have gotten it from me in a snap.
sh1
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
And if it was 8 guns against 2 guns you'd be dead.
Fatkitty
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:24 p.m.
EIGHT MEN jump 2 men? Were the eight, or a few of the eight, just sauntering along and decided to "take on" 2 guys full of pizza? Hmmmmm........
David Paris
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
"Ann Arbor is this nice, safe, little college community, where you can walk around at 2:30 am " No offense tom swift jr., but I surgically removed the portion of your statement that I liked. My thinking is that I will go on doing what I do, and let AAPD keep doing what they do. I'm not living in fear in this fine town. Go Blue! (officers in blue, that is)
moodyone
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 5:08 a.m.
It would be much, much safe with more people out. And there are no "these times." Crime rates in this country have dropped steadily since the early 1990s, with current rates similar to those in the 1960s. What is the story with all the people who think you should lock yourself in a bomb shelter at dusk?
Cash
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
Well I hope that not everyone feels that way. Young people out and about at night at the end of summer....are easy prey. In these times they DO NEED TO think differently!! Not blaming victims just saying to others out there....think differently!
tom swift jr.
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
The idea that Ann Arbor is this nice, safe, little college community, where you can walk around at 2:30 am needs to be dispelled. When it gets dark, stay home.
Annie
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
So what happens when crimes take place in the daytime? Do we never leave our homes? Staying inside shows criminals they have the power.
Original Ann Arborite
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
I am not scared and never will b
Adam Jaskiewicz
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:06 a.m.
Sounds like a bunch of middle school bullies.