Pedestrian shot in road rage incident in Eastpointe

EASTPOINTE — A woman out for a walk reportedly was shot by a motorist after the driver allegedly was angered in an exchange of words with the woman’s acquaintance.

The incident occurred at around 10:10 p.m. May 21. Eastpointe police officers were dispatched to the area of David and Collinson avenues on report of an assault with intent to murder.

According to Eastpointe Police Lt. Alexander Holish, the first officer at the scene located a female victim, 36, who was heavily bleeding after suffering two gunshot wounds to the same leg.

The responding officer used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, which might have saved her life, Holish said. Medics arrived shortly afterward and transported her to a local hospital.

At press time, she was said to be in stable condition.

On interviewing her, officers learned that she apparently had been walking with a man on David Avenue, heading toward Collinson Avenue, when they were nearly hit by a black four-door sedan that reportedly ran a stop sign.

The man with the woman allegedly yelled at the driver of the sedan, at which point the driver is said to have turned around and continued the exchange of words. The suspect then reportedly produced a handgun and fired at the man, missing him and hitting the woman instead. The driver then fled the scene.

At press time, police were still looking for additional leads on the culprit. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the detective working the case at (586) 445-9416.

“We are taking this very seriously and hoping the public can assist with information that will lead to the suspect’s identity and subsequent apprehension,” Holish said. “Any road rage can be dangerous. It is always a good idea to walk away from any altercation if possible. However, what the suspect did in this case is horrifying. He tried to take two lives because someone was simply displeased with his driving and yelled at him.”