Police arrest man for shooting at cars on U.S.-23
Updated report: U.S.-23 shooter: Multiple shots fired, no injuries and some help from the snow
Pittsfield Township police followed footprints in the snow early today to arrest a 28-year-old Wisconsin man who reportedly shot at cars on U.S.-23.
Police say they responded just after midnight to a wooded area near the highway and Michigan Avenue after a 911 caller reported a man dressed in a black trench coat standing near a bridge and shooting at traffic.
Officers spotted the suspect walking toward the west, and they took him into custody. They then tracked his footprints in the snow - and found a sawed-off shotgun.
No injuries were reported and police say no vehicles were struck.
The man is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail. Police are seeking charges of assault with intent to murder.
Comments
JRW
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 10:16 p.m.
Unbelievable. Standing and shooting at motorists on 23. More and more random crime, folks. Need to reinstate the police that were laid off, and stop the funding for public art until more police are hired. Glad this thug was arrested, but let's hope he doesn't end up in Melinda Morris' court and get a slap on the wrist (isn't she retired? yet she still "fills in" for judges on medical leave, let's be done with her!). This is a very dangerous individual.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
Just noticing that some commenters seem to think this pathetic incident has some hidden, nefarious connection with the National Rifle Association. Just to clear that up: The NRA was chartered by Congress in the late 1800s to be the primary agency for promoting civilian marksmanship. The NRA formed a legislative affairs division in response to debate concerning passage of the 1934 National Firearms Act. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action was periodically recalled to duty because of cyclical efforts by Democrats to revive "new and improved" gun control measures after each nationally reported criminal shooting incidents, including the 1994 Oklahoma City bombing in which guns played no part. On a monthly, yearly basis the primary mission of the NRA is to promote safe gun handling, marksmanship and self defense. NRA Instructors are recognized by at least 40 of the 50 states for certifying police and civilians in such things as carrying pistols on one's person. Including Michigan. Only in RESPONSE to questionable new gun control laws does the NRA mobilize it's lobbying arm. But the NRA supported the Gun Control Act of 1968 and in fact served in advisory capacity during its creation. It's highly suspicious that some people try to demonize the NRA and its members. It's also the height of nonsense when each wave of attacks on the NRA causes increased NRA enrollments and surges in the sales of guns and ammunition. Following Obama's anti-gun speech in late December, the NRA membership increased by 1 million. I have an email from a national firearms distributor reporting that their sales are now greater than at any time since the company's creation 35 years ago. Critics of the NRA fail to show any connection between the NRA and such incidents as this shooting. But they keep trying. :-)
Indymama
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
TruBlue, AMEN!! You write the truth! Thanks for your knowledge and willingness to reply to people who don't understand differences between reality & fact and propaganda.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
@John: you seem to have not noticed that the article you're referring to CAME FROM "Mayors Against Violence" which IS just another critic of the NRA. Judging from the fact that you bit on that one, it's safe to think you're not familiar with PROPAGANDA. Singling out the NRA as the purported ONLY representative of gun owners shows that you're a little short on knowledge of the gun owning civil rights movement. Who produced these "polls" - are they certified as official and valid? You appear to be relying on only those "facts" you agree with. 80 million gun owners - MOST of them not members of the NRA, the GOA, the USCCA, MCRGO or any of the scores of gun oriented organizations. FYI: the GOA (Gun Owners of America) is currently recognized as the most effective pro-gun-owner lobby. NOT the NRA. Showing: in ignorance of that, anti-gun-owner types are shooting at the wrong target. And GOA members: are calling Congress in droves to tell Senators and Congressmen they are AGAINST background checks. (As proven by PBS's Frontline and NOVA documentaries - because background checks address the WRONG element.) Poor strategy: "The NRA does not even represent their members anymore." -- not proven - and even if proven, the correct statement would be: The NRA does not represent their members AS WELL AS IT COULD. Be assured: the NRA is doing well enough and a 1 million member increase in 2 months shows that. I hope you take this seriously & realize my comment was directed at those trying to demonize the NRA. If you intended to disprove or demoralize me or NRA members, you fell short by a good margin. Maybe you'd be happier finding the valid reasons for criticizing Barack Obama, who like any demagogue, goes on TV to exploit an emotional reaction to a tragedy - and uses children as stage props. A lot of Democrat officials wish he didn't do that. (Because it's stupid.)
John
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.
What the NRA stands for now...is not what they stood for when originated. The NRA does not even represent their members anymore. New polls say NRA members WANT background checks, though NRA leaders refuse! http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/ html/media-center/pr006-12.shtml
oldguy
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3:26 p.m.
Another guy from the NRA`s "well regulated militia" gone bonkers. Ah, that 2nd amendment.
DJBudSonic
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3:04 p.m.
Now is a chance for local, state or federal law enforcement to prove they mean business about illegal possession and use of firearms, by throwing the book at this guy. Enforce the laws on the books to the maximum sentence. Five years for posession of a sawed-off shotgun. There are many other crimes here too, as much as I hate to pay to keep criminals locked up, I believe that deterrence can make a difference. How about a mental health screening for this guy, too? This should also provide probable cause for a warrant for a search of his home for other illegal weapons, providing an opportunity to get them off the street.
JRW
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 10:20 p.m.
Mental health screening should be automatic for all criminals. However, let's hope he doesn't come up crazy in some screening and get off the hook on this.
Arboriginal
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.
Sawed-off shotgun = illegal.
sellers
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3:19 p.m.
Did you read where it was illegal ? Can you reference your source?
you can't handle the truth
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
It will be interesting to see what kind of weak sentence gets handed down on this one from Washtenaw County's weak and liberal judges. Hopefully it gets coverage.
JRW
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 10:19 p.m.
Totally agree. He gets a slap on the wrist and goes free. This is a dangerous individual that needs to be locked up for a long time. NO PLEA DEALS! And NO MELINDA MORRIS! She retired, but is filling in for a judge on medical leave. Wash Cty needs to be DONE with her and her slap on the wrist justice!!!!!!!!!!!!
MjC
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
So glad they caught this idiot!
tdw
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
People really should research the NRA and where they stand on guns and refrain from believing what they are spoon fed from MSNBC and Jon Stewart
tdw
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
Trublue....I'm not sure if you are directing your comment towards me but I'm pro-gun,pro-NRA, pro second amendment I'm on your side
dsponini
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
meetthenra.org All the scary research I need!
DJBudSonic
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3:10 p.m.
I am sure "the NRA" or any representative or member thereof would tell the prosecutor to throw the book at this guy. This is obviously not why we have the right to own legal firearms. I think @tdw is suggesting the same.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 3 p.m.
Research the NRA? You imply the NRA is hiding something. You could try "researching" on your own- and you'd learn that Congress made the NRA the official civilian agency for civilian firearms training over 100 years ago. You'd also learn that the efforts of elected officials to institute gun control sparked the NRA's response starting in the 1940s, again in the late 60s and several times since then due to Democrats' cyclical hysteria over ordinary gun ownership. It'd probably be better if you researched the Democratic Party's penchant for insisting on gun control as the one and only answer to such things as assassinations, bombings, and young males conducting rampage shootings - NONE of which have anything to do with 80 million law abiding gun owners. You might also look into why it is that Democrats perpetually play on gun phobia to stir up their misinformed followers. Or - research why the Democrats do this when all it does is to cause massive increases in gun and ammunition sales. And BTW: since Obama's demagogic anti-gun-owner speech in December, NRA has gained 1 million members. So who's spoon feeding whom? By a margin of 8 to 1: the news media publishes misleading anti-gun articles, blogs and opinion pieces. Proving that the NRA isn't the guilty one, it's the peddling of misinformation and slander of gun owners and the NRA that has you confused. It's fair to ask, what's the logical connection you've made between this single pathetic shooting attempt and the NRA? You must have proof that this guy was an NRA official, right? Be careful though: God's commandments include a prohibition against bearing false witness - and slander can bring legal consequences.
Crusader 53
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
and you shouldn't drink the NRA kool aid.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.
Here's the update on this story. It adds some detail from Deputy Chief Gordy Schick. Also, it turns out the suspect is local and not from Wisconsin, despite what he told officers at first. http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/us-23-shooter-multiple-shots-fired-no-injuries-and-some-help-from-the-snow/
Hmm
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
This is quite scary glad to hear no one was hurt.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1 p.m.
I'll be updating this story shortly. Just talked to the deputy chief.
smokeblwr
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
Not going to hit much with a shotgun from a distance. Luckily he's as dumb as he is crazy.
Ross
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1 p.m.
And a sawed off one at that. Pretty dumb, and now he'll go to jail for it. What a waste of your life.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
Depends on what kind of ammo he was using, SLUGS & BUCKSHOT carry a long way.
Billy
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.
"They then tracked his footprints in the snow" Because this is CLEARLY the kind of weather you do "nefarious" things in because there's NO POSSIBLE WAY THEY COULD TRACK YOU.....
Ann Dwyer
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
Is it weird that I was just thinking that winter was the worst time to commit a crime? Not that I'm planning anything...
Martha Cojelona Gratis
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
Great job officers! Thank you.
J
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.
Even better job to the guy who spotted the shooter and called the police! Good looking out, literally.
rsa221
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:30 a.m.
Scary. :(
Paula Gardner
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:29 a.m.
Also, I don't know whether the suspect was north or south of Michigan Avenue. The "A" on the map shows the condo complex west of the shooting. I'm not saying it's connected, but wanted to convey how close he was to people's homes, too.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:26 a.m.
Hi Cash, it's a local report now. There was a snafu with the release as our newsletter was going out this morning, so I used the AP story temporarily. But I've been in touch with Pittsfield's deputy chief. He says roads are bad out there ... we'll be talking about this when he gets to the office.
Cash
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:01 p.m.
Paula, Thanks! This is horrifying! Such a heavily traveled highway, and dangerous enough just from traffic volume, poorly constructed ramp exits and entrances......and now the weather ....and NOW a shooter?? Horrifying.
a2cents
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:12 a.m.
Gun ? That ain't news... lots of 'em out there & gonna be more.
jcj
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
You know what your 2cents will get ya? Nothing I can think of.
John
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
Don't worry...I'm sure the NRA is already preparing a "stand your ground" defense for this guy....someone who's fed up with all that highway traffic...TRUE Patriot indeed!
seldon
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:19 p.m.
You guys do know sawed-off shotguns have been illegal since like 1935, right?
dsponini
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
If the NRA gets their way....you are right!
tdw
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 12:03 p.m.
Uhh....yea ok ....sure
a2cents
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:50 a.m.
ANYONE packing heat is a nut-case in my book... nra be damned
tdw
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:37 a.m.
Yep..and if Obama gets his way only crazies and criminals will have them.Besides maybe was just testing out Biden's advice
Cash
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 : 11:06 a.m.
This seems like a major story! Any local report on this??