Gunman fires into Ypsilanti Township home as children attempt to escape through window
Two adults and four children escaped serious injury after two armed men kicked down the door to their Ypsilanti Township home and fired five shots as one of the adults attempted to escape from the rear of the home with the children, Washtenaw County sheriff's officials said.
No one was struck. One of the gunmen also dragged a woman by her hair from the front door of the home and pointed a gun at her head, according to a media summary.
The incident occurred at 10:36 p.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Calder Avenue, in the township's West Willow neighborhood.
Sheriff's Sgt. David Archer said the incident does not appear to be a random attack. He said detectives are still investigating, and no arrests have been made.
The home's residents — a 41-year-old man, 34-year-old woman, 16-year-old boy, 12-year-old boy, 11-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl — were inside when a man kicked down the door and entered, Archer said. Another gunman remained outside, Archer said.
The intruder grabbed the woman by her hair, dragged her to the front porch and pointed a gun at her head, Archer said. He then yelled something to the other man, Archer said.
Meanwhile, the male resident gathered the children and ran to a rear bedroom, where he opened a window to get the children out of the house, the media summary said. The man saw the second gunman outside, and that gunman fired five shots into the residence, the summary said.
The resident covered the children on the floor, and no one was hit, the summary said.
After firing the shots, both gunmen fled. Archer said a police tracking dog was called in, but was unable to determine where the men ran.
Archer said nothing was stolen from the home.
The woman who was dragged by her hair declined medical attention, police said.
Both men had their faces covered by red ski masks, Archer said. The one who entered the home was described as as a light-skinned black man, medium height, and was wearing a gray jacket. He was reportedly armed with a black handgun.
The gunman who fired the shots was described as a light-skinned black man, heavyset, and was wearing a black jacket. He was reportedly armed with a chrome revolver.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's tip line at 734-973-7711.
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Comments
eyeonthenews
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.
I agree Nephilim, While working in my yard one day I had a young neighbor boy of about 8 years of age come up and start talking to me. He is a very intelligent and sweet kid but already well educated in street knowledge way beyond his years. We had other conversations in the past and he was asking me some questions that he pretty much already knew what my answers would be. Without going into a lot of details I'll cut to the chase... this young boy of 8 knew there was a difference in how a normal neighborhood was supposed to look and how it's residents should behave but with each question I answered he would respond with "but this is West Willow". Like this neighborhood is an entity unto itself. A state where lawlessness is the norm and accepted behavior. When you have kids growing up seeing their family members, and in some cases even their grandparents, living a particular lifestyle then there's not much any of us can do. It's a culture. Drug dealers, gang bangers, drug dealing gang bangers and gun weilding thiefs. That's a lot to deal with. With that said I'm outta here.
Nephilim
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Eye, again, totally agree with you. The good people are stuck between a rock and a even harder place. Lets face it, cops can't be there all day everyday which leaves you all to fend for yourselves the other 95% of the time. Fear is an absolute reigning monster. It's easier to rule with fear than it is with respect. I agree also that you are right in the sense that there is and probably will never be an easy solution. There are way too many non wanting to work young adults down there that keep gleaning off the rest of you and the system and it is multi-generational. How do you fix that? People can complain all they want how drug enforcement is a waste of time and money. I can tell you this. 85% of the problems there are drug related. That's probably a conservative estimate also.
eyeonthenews
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 5:25 a.m.
Nephilim, It's a very complicated situation and one that's not easily remedied. Most of us do have the utmost respect for the police but many people are living in fear, afraid to report what they see. I can't tell you how many times I've had a neighbor tell me.... "their shooting people" as a response to why didn't you call the police(?). People don't buy into you can report a crime anonymously. Fear is an awsome Monster and you must agree from what you've been reading that it is something to be considered. I've been threatened so many times I've stopped counting. Just because I'm still here doesn't mean they won't try to make good on their threats someday.
Nephilim
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 3:17 a.m.
Eye, I actually totally agree with you. Even you said it though, you report a crime, you catch hell for it. Which goes right back to one of my original posts which stated the good people have to take your neighborhood back. I'm hoping there is more good than bad there. The other is you need to help the police when they come down there. You can tell me about all the ride alongs and neighborhood patrols you do until your blue in the face but it doesn't change things in the end. Stuff blows up in the neighborhood and if it doesn't get handled exactly like you all expect, then your responses are to start criticizing the police. That's the point I've tried to make. I really feel bad for you guys that really want to make a difference.
eyeonthenews
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
OMG! Was my comment removed because you thought I was talking racism? NO WAY!!! I was talking about the criminal element in general that these landlords have catered to. I still say if you want to clean up West Willow then the Township has to go after the landlords and hold them accountable.
Angela Barbash
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
And just for the record, I don't sit around all day and post about all the things we're doing to repair our neighborhood's relationship with WCSD, but I feel compelled to clarify here because Nephilim, you have the ability to incite inflammatory responses and discourse that paints a picture which is not necessarily accurate. Perhaps if I can open your eyes to the truth a bit, you might actually help our situation rather than just criticize from the sidelines. I've been president of our assoc. for 13 months. In that time I have personally... - Spent approx. 36 hours on ride-alongs with WCSD in an effort build rapport, understand their procedures and re-introduce our community to them. - Spent another 12 hours on foot patrols with officers in West Willow during the late summer months. - Gotten on a quarterly meeting schedule with our district's Lieutenant, as well as a first name basis with regular cell phone conversations when needed. - Gotten WCSD on board to work with us to develop the Citizen Patrol team, which now has 11 members where we started with just 3. - Been a guest speaker at the WCSD County-wide Neighborhood Watch Coordinators meeting to talk about the partnership between WCSD and West Willow. - And in March our Citizen Patrol team will be participating in the WCSD Citizen Police Academy for further training. - Lastly, our Citizen Patrol team has spent approx. 200 hours patrolling our streets since we started Labor Day weekend. Nephilim, we respectfully hold them to a high standard because we pay them for services rendered, but we also work with them. Now please, find a way to help us rather than bash us. Regards, Angela
Angela Barbash
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
And just for the record, I don't sit around all day and post about all the things we're doing to repair our neighborhood's relationship with WCSD, but I feel compelled to clarify here because Nephilim, you have the ability to incite inflammatory responses and discourse that paints a picture which is not necessarily accurate. Perhaps if I can open your eyes to the truth a bit, you might actually help our situation rather than just criticize from the sidelines. I've been president of our assoc. for 13 months. In that time I have personally... - Spent approx. 36 hours on ride-alongs with WCSD in an effort build rapport, understand their procedures and re-introduce our community to them. - Spent another 12 hours on foot patrols with officers in West Willow during the late summer months. - Gotten on a quarterly meeting schedule with our district's Lieutenant, as well as a first name basis with regular cell phone conversations when needed. - Gotten WCSD on board to work with us to develop the Citizen Patrol team, which now has 11 members where we started with just 3. - Been a guest speaker at the WCSD County-wide Neighborhood Watch Coordinators meeting to talk about the partnership between WCSD and West Willow. - And in March our Citizen Patrol team will be participating in the WCSD Citizen Police Academy for further training. - Lastly, our Citizen Patrol team has spent approx. 200 hours patrolling our streets since we started Labor Day weekend. Nephilim, we respectfully hold them to a high standard because we pay them for services rendered, but we also work with them. Now please, find a way to help us rather than bash us. Regards, Angela
Monica
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
"The ones that are really going to make a difference for you and then actually stick up for them when they arrest the criminal element even when unfortunately it's your relative". @Ann Arbor.com, this statement is inappropriate by Nephilim along with many other claims they cite in the last response. Please consider removing this as it boarders on the corner of libel. Thank you! MonicaRW
Nephilim
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.
Monica, You are comparing apples to oranges and I will GURANTEE you that you WILL NOT through history find where there was that many shootings in that period of time In ANY of those other communities YOU elected to list. Is there crime? Sure. Does a property crime impact a community like a shooting? Come on now, lets be realistic and if you still elect to say yes then you need to take a serious cold hard look at your rationalizing ability. This isnt just about this incident Monica, this is about every shooting, every victim, every resident that is impacted by a product that lives, breathes, reproduces and destroys your neighborhood for the good honest hardworking people that do live there. You cite that many heroic people, put in a dangerous situation, came to the aid of the victim not knowing if the suspect/s were coming back. Ok great job, now how come NONE of them heroic people said enough was enough when the party was getting out of hand in the first place? Monica this has EVERYTHING to do with the WCSD! Your neighborhood has vilified them at every turn when they have come to your neighborhood. Cite for me when the last time was you publicly stuck up for them? You are too busy pointing out everything they've done wrong in every high profile incident. Yea that would make me want to be proactive and come down there and mingle with you on a daily basis. I am not a resident of your neighborhood I bear no reason or need to come to your association meeting to give my two cents that has already been reverberated here. You are a self proclaimed community leader, then quit saying it and actually be one....you know who the criminal element is down there, do something about it. Take your streets back!!! Work on your relationship with the sheriff department and I'm not talking about the one that lives down there. I don't think he is actually a certified cop anyway. I'm talking the uniformed scout cars with uniformed deputies. The ones that are really going to make a difference for you and then actually stick up for them when they arrest the criminal element even when unfortunately it's your relative. The citizens are the first line of defense, the cops are merely support to follow through what you guys start. When you learn that, your neighborhood will change Monica...guaranteed...
eyeonthenews
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Thanks Angela. I still believe good will over come evil but not without people stepping up and taking action against it. A person doesn't live next to or across the street or even a block away from illegal activity and not be aware of the signs. Much of this stuff is so blatantely obvious there's no way to not know whats going on. Some people sit back and watch out of fear for sure or even run from it if they can but we can't be like an ostrich and hide our heads in the ground. When we do things only get worse.
Angela Barbash
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
@eyeonthenews, I had also posted a comment that they deleted asking where your comment was -- I had planned to respond to it after I came back from lunch, mostly to say thank you for your comments and that I agree, people have to stop hiding criminals. We get a feeling that most people would rather let 'street justice' solve and handle their crimes rather than the police, which is frustrating and escalates the incidents to say the least.
eyeonthenews
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Stephanie... a lot of these comments are directed at some commenter here and on other stories. @Angela, @RJA, @Nephilim, @Stevek, etc. I didn't out anyone or make a personal attack. To say someone sounds like a politician, cop, whatever... doesn't identify that commenter.
Monica
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.
@Nephilim I said crime. And yes, I am sure that if one researched back into years of crime statistics, there were shootings in each of these areas you noted. Property crime, crimes against children, auto theft, robberies and more occur in nearly every area, including the ones noted above. Crime impacts the victims no matter were they are located. Next, I have no idea why one insists on connecting one incident with another. Regardless, there were PLENTY of citizens that came out of their homes in a attempt to protect the injured party in the summer shooting. They did not know if the suspects were coming back....what they did do is bravely protect the victim from further injury. That, is a community in action and I am proud of each of these residents that jumped in the victim from additional harm. Next, if you come into the community often, I suggest that you take a hour next month and come to our Neighborhood Association meeting. You do not have to live in West Willow to attend, as it is a open meeting. If you can say these thoughts on the internet, come to the meeting to share your concrete ideas on how we can improve the situation. We would welcome you. Finally, this is not a discussion about the thoughts, opinions, ideas, etc. about Washtenaw Cty. Sheriff Department. The story is about the shooting that occurred to area residents, their four children and the two suspects that have yet to be arrested. Let's keep our focus on this.
Monica
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.
@Nephilim I said crime. And yes, I am sure that if one researched back into years of crime statistics, there were shootings in each of these areas you noted. Property crime, crimes against children, auto theft, robberies and more occur in nearly every area, including the ones noted above. Crime impacts the victims no matter were they are located. Next, I have no idea why one insists on connecting one incident with another. Regardless, there were PLENTY of citizens that came out of their homes in a attempt to protect the injured party in the summer shooting. They did not know if the suspects were coming back....what they did do is bravely protect the victim from further injury. That, is a community in action and I am proud of each of these residents that jumped in the victim from additional harm. Next, if you come into the community often, I suggest that you take a hour next month and come to our Neighborhood Association meeting. You do not have to live in West Willow to attend, as it is a open meeting. If you can say these thoughts on the internet, come to the meeting to share your concrete ideas on how we can improve the situation. We would welcome you. Finally, this is not a discussion about the thoughts, opinions, ideas, etc. about Washtenaw Cty. Sheriff Department. The story is about the shooting that occurred to area residents, their four children and the two suspects that have yet to be arrested. Let's keep our focus on this.
Nephilim
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
Ann arbor has how many homes? How many residents? How many shootings? Dexter? How many shootings? Saline? How many shootings? Brighton? How many shootings? Birmingham? How many shootings? NO there is NOT the same chance of the shootings to happen there as they are in your fine neighborhood. Yes I absolutely agree. I without a doubt believe there are great residents in WW and I am sure they were in attendance at your meetings and I am sure they spoke out and had great ideas. That's all well and good but I guarantee you them same people won't say boo when they see or hear the criminal element afoot. Why? Because they are scared to death! You can talk tough and talk great talk when you are amongst like minded individuals but when the metal meets the meat, them tough heroic people tuck tail. It is not that you are bad people you are just not mentally, emotionally or physically equipped to deal with blatant aggressive behavior. There is no shame in that. Where the shame starts is when you openly criticize the only ones that come to your defense. (cops) Monday morning when the disguise settled, you all come out of the safety of your houses and start the "Oh how things could have been handled better" speeches. Never once in all the posts from the female shooting did I ever read of ANY ONE of you coming out of your residences or off your porches to assist or quell the crowd prior to the cops getting there or prior to the shooting. All you did is finger point how scared the cops were and how I talked to friends and other cops and they said how they would have handled it....I say BS!!!!!!!!! So basically, at the time of the incident, what you are basically saying is the cops were as scared as ALL of you? You can keep talking about your community garden and your community events and if that makes your hearts warm then so be it....it still doesn't change the fact: YOU ALL HAVE A COMMUNITY PROBLEM!!!! You also have a COMMUNITY FINGER POINTING PROBLEM to!!!!!!!!! I've spent a lot of time in your community folks......I've seen YOUR problems first hand. You need to first off start supporting your law enforcement and their efforts. Not criticize them at every corner. You need to start outing the criminal element and stop hiding them. Sorry sometimes family members are criminals. Deal with it. Until you grasp this concept, you are sailing a sinking ship. Good luck
Monica
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
@RJA, if you are scared to come into West Willow then you need to also be just as scared to enter into Ypsilanti Township, Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston County and most other areas of Southeastern Michigan. The point is crime is everywhere. Michigan's economic situation difficult at best at the moment. With depressed economic conditions, crime increases...plain and simple. The West Willow is no different many other communities at this time, experiencing a spike in crimes of opportunity. Meantime, the issue is what is going to be done to stop it. First, jobs need to be created back in our great state to get Southeastern Michigan moving in a positive direction again. I did not agree with Rick Snyder being elected Governor but, I look forward to his State of the State speech were he outlines his plans to bring jobs back to this region. Second, some elements in our society just live on the verge of enjoying antisocial criminal behavior. This happens in every state, country, nationwide and throughout the world, as a whole. In Michigan, we need to make sure we are capturing such individuals and place them in prison for an extended time or for life if need be. Third, we need to stop creating boarders that do not exist. Specifically, many of us believe our region, community, area, city name or status protect us from crime happening within our self-perceived 'boarder'. This fuels the division we experience daily among race, ethical, class, age, sex or other lines that supposedly 'separate' us. This is one community, one state and one nation. A crime that happens in West Willow can easily happen just as easy in Canton, Saline, Brighton, West Bloomfield, Gross Point Shores or Birmingham; and in many cases they have. I am encouraged when I read comments like 'Joe Golder' who took time out of his evening to attend our Neighborhood Association meeting, to see what positive actions are planned for 2011 in the West Willow area. These meetings occur the Second Monday's of each month are open to the public and media resources, at large. Before you judge our community as a whole on what negatively you might read on Ann Arbor.com or other media resources, instead, try to attend one of our NWWNA meetings. RJA, if you have Senior Relatives that live in the area....bring them along to our next meeting on Monday, February 14th at 7:00 PM to express their concerns to our Executive Board and other Ypsilanti Township and Washtenaw Cty. Sheriff Government Officials. One or more Governmental entities (officials) from each of their organizations are in regular attendance at our meetings. We want to hear their concerns, yours too about living/traveling into West Willow and offer them resources to help, if need be. Here is our NWWNA website for information on our next meeting and all additional meeting for the 2011 year. http://www.nwwna.blogspot.com Look forward to seeing you RJA at the next meeting. Fear does not bring change. People in action do, instead! Monica RW Recording Secretary New West Willow Neighborhood Association
joe golder
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
Angela I lived on caladonia court and attended adams jr high around 1968-1969. Things were hard but agree there was no problems like this. I attended the west willow neighborhood assn. meeting last night and was very impressed with the positive energy and optimistic outlook. After listening to detectives and residents it was obvious the war zone thing was an exaggeration. Considering how many great residents there are in the willow ( I really like that term ) and the problems doesn't make it a war zone or terrible place to live. Look around folks things are getting bad everywhere. I Listened first hand too and watched a great bunch of concerned folks working hard to make it better. They're concern for their neighborhood was overwhelming. I left there feeling great optimism. I believe this is a success story in the making. I hope others will look past this bad rap and participate in some of the cool things they have planned this summer. Great job folks
Angela Barbash
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
That's exactly it -- none of us can leave. We can't sell. So we try to make things better. But here's what good about West Willow: - A community Garden that feeds hungry residents - A summer program that gives kids ages 6-16 a place to go for learning and play during the summer weeks - Spontaneous parades - An active and organized neighborhood association It's not a walk in the park, don't get me wrong. But it's something. And this year our association is organizing these events: - Community-wide rummage sale - A Job Fair - Ypsilanti Gospel & Jazz Festival I grew up in "Shacktown", in Westland -- we didn't have any of this where I grew up, all we had was poverty.
RJA
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
I can't think of anything good about West Willow. My cousin was broken into twice last summer. The thiefs were looking for drugs, guns and jewelry. They found jewelry, that was it. They left the house a wreck. Their insurance had to pay for new doors and frames, kitchen floor ect. I am afraid to enter West Willow, and visit my cousins. (they visit me). I wish they could move out of the war zone, but what can the elderly do on SS?
Angela Barbash
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:48 a.m.
I should also point out that people like to take news stories like this and use them as opportunities to take pot shots at us for trying to change the reality here, and the perceptions. Most people never stop to think that these issues are beyond our neighborhood -- if they're not in your neighborhood now, they will be soon. And what will you do when you've got bullets coming through your kitchen window? I can tell you one thing -- even though many people in many other neighborhoods have done everything they can to tease, taunt, and speak ill of West Willow, West Willow will back you up when you call for help. Because this is bigger than just us.
Angela Barbash
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:42 a.m.
@Stevek -- please note that 4 of the 9 were in West Willow, the others were in other parts of Ypsi Township and Pittsfield Township, but they all may be related in some way. We have 1200 homes and 8500 residents -- the misconception is that everyone who lives here doesn't care about their neighbors or their neighborhood. I've heard and read everything from "they should just put a wall around the neighborhood" (ala the Jewish ghettos of WWII), to "they should just level the neighborhood", to "there's nothing but criminals there anyways". 1200 homes -- 24 break ins during the fall -- That's 2.0% of homes that were broken into. What the rest of the community perceives is that ALL the homes are being broken into, that ALL the residents are criminals, that ALL the people living here in a state of poverty, that ALL of this section of the Township is dangerous. I will never stop pointing out that their perceptions are incorrect.
stevek
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 6:50 a.m.
@Angela, I too was wondering how you were going to defend West Willow now. What I would like to know is--what is the "misconception"? 9 shootings in 3 weeks in one neighborhood makes it a bad neighborhood. Too bad it isn't like it used to be.
robyn
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 2:43 a.m.
I hope the people there figure out a way to protect their neighborhood and themselves. I can't imagine living like that - never knowing what might happen and worrying abou the safety of my children while they're supposed to be safely tucked into their beds. Thankfully no one was injured (badly) or killed tonight - but what about tomorrow night and the night after that?
Monica
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
This incident was tragic but the best thing is that no one in the home was hurt. With such, it is not the time or place to re-sight the other incident with the young lady who was shot. Completely separate incidents all together. We are committed as a community, to work together and protect out residents, to the best of our ability. Still questions must be asked on the level of violence in our society and what causes so much antisocial criminal behavior in our community and the nation, at large.
Angela Barbash
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
Yep, knew it wouldn't take long for someone to post something like that... We went all fall without any problems, then all of a sudden there are 9 shootings in 3 weeks, 4 inside our neighborhood, 1 on the border at the Dairy Mart at McCartney/Grove and 4 in other parts of Ypsi and Pittsfield Township. This doesn't happen every day, and 9 shootings in 3 weeks is not a coincidence. I, and most of us living here, maintain that there is a misconception about our neighborhood which makes it difficult to move forward. I know some of the officers are wary of this neighborhood and the people that come here and are renting here. I'm sure these incidents aren't helping. Idiots shooting at their idiot rivals are to blame. Idiots who attempt armed robberies are to blame. We're all to blame, cops and residents alike, for these guys still being on the streets because somebody knows something. And lastly, you and I both know that there is a clear difference between police not breaking up an out of control street party, and 2 guys breaking down a door and holding someone at gun point. Nephilim (nice handle by the way..), thanks for your support :/
Nephilim
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.
Hey angela, how about all those comments way back when the female got shot at the block party you made about how it's such a misconception regarding west willow? How about the comments you made about the cops being scared of the residents? If I were you, I'd be beside myself to........who ya gonna blame this time? Let me guess, it again is probably the scared cops fault because they werent down there enough embracing your friendly neighborhood......what to do now? What to do?
Angela Barbash
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.
Thank you Joe for your support and your help -- I'm beside myself, honestly... Three shootings in a month in our neighborhood, all within very close proximity to my house, and all were senseless. I have a feeling tonight's meeting is going to be a hot one... :/
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
Since this story stays in the queue presumably forever, a policy of indicating the date of the incident might help with identification later. Dates should always be on news stories anyway.
ummsw
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
I can't imagine how traumatic and terrifying this must have been for all involved..so glad no one was seriously injured.
joe golder
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.
Sounds pretty bad. The west willow neighborhood assn. is meeting tonight. Time and location is posted in the comments under two students shot article. There is also info on how to help. I wish I had more resources to help. Everyone in the area needs to pony up. These very bad guys are very close and need to be caught and their crew locked up. If anyone out there has something to give get in touch with the west willow neighborhood assn. People do stupid things to get those drugs. If you think your immune from these problems your wrong. They are preying on the have's and the have not's.
pvitaly
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Wow this sounds terrifying! Nothing was stolen and nobody was hurt except the hair being pulled? Scary, yet bizarre