On Friday April 19, a 20-year-old woman was shot in the head as she was walking to her apartment after getting off work. The woman, who is a resident of Pittsfield Township, was treated for non-life threatening injuries following the shooting, although the suspect was still at large.
Chief Gordy Schick of the Pittsfield Township Deputy Police said that the victim was approached by a man with a gun who attempted to take her purse. The man then forced the woman to the ground demanding that she remove her clothes while holding a gun to her head. As the alleged victim fought back, the man shot her in the left side of the head. The police chief believes that although the suspect did not sexually assault the woman, he did intend to.
The incident took place in the 4900 block of Lakeridge Drive in Pittsfield Township at approximately 10:30 p.m. The suspect is described as a black male about 5′ 8″ in height who is thinly built, bald, and thought to be 18 to 20 years old. According to a news article at Annarbor.com, he was wearing dark clothing and a hoodie.
Police are now investigating whether the suspect in this case may be the same man who sexually assaulted an Ypsilanti Township woman recently. Composite sketches of the suspects have been released in both cases, and the images are said to look very similar. However, the physical descriptions given of the suspects differ substantially, as the man suspected in the Ypsilanti Township sexual assault is described as being over six feet tall, while the Pittsfield Township robbery suspect was described as about 5′ 8″ tall.
Police believe the woman who was attacked as she walked toward her apartment complex may have been at Washtenaw Avenue and Golfside Road near the AATA bus stop prior to the shooting, although they do not reveal in news reports why they suspect the woman was in the area.
Although news reports do not indicate what the suspect may be charged with when apprehended, Michigan criminal defense lawyers know that he will no doubt face serious consequences. Attempted robbery and assault are serious offenses; when a gun is present and someone is injured, the consequences become even more dire for the person who is convicted of committing the crime.
Regardless of how minor or serious a crime may seem, it is imperative that you consult with a skilled and experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney who will work vigorously to protect your legal rights and freedom.