Eastpointe man facing charges after ‘bizarre’ attack on Roseville business owners

ROSEVILLE — A 29-year-old Eastpointe man is facing eight charges in what the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office called a “bizarre incident” in Roseville.

At approximately 1:35 p.m. July 29, Roseville police responded to a report of shots being fired in the area of 10 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue. When officers arrived, they learned that a man had sexually assaulted a business owner and fired shots at her husband, according to a press release from the Roseville Police Department.

Officers were told that the suspect grabbed the woman in front of her business “and began groping her,” the Roseville press release states. She was able to get away, police said, and the suspect allegedly brandished a handgun to threaten her. Her husband went outside to stop the assault, and he confronted the suspect.

“Upon confronting the suspect, it appears he fired several shots at the husband,” the press release states. “The couple were not hit by the gunfire, and they retreated inside their business.”

Police and the Prosecutor’s Office identified Dakarai Lamar Farmer as the suspect.

After the incident, Farmer allegedly fled the area on a bicycle. Officers obtained a description and began canvassing the area. They were also able to obtain a picture of the suspect from a business’s surveillance camera. Additionally, an officer learned through interviewing a witness that the suspect had been seen in the area of Deerfield Street and Gratiot Avenue, according to the press release.

Detectives from Roseville’s Criminal Investigations Division “decided to do some old-fashioned police work and conduct a door-to-door canvass of the area on foot,” the press release states. After a short period of time, detectives learned Farmer had a relative in the area.

Farmer reportedly was found at his relative’s home in Eastpointe. He was arrested without incident, police said.

Dawn Fraylick, communications director for the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, said in an email that the incident was a random act.

“The defendant and victims did not know each other,” she said.

On July 30, Farmer was arraigned in the 39th District Court in Roseville by Judge Alyia Hakim. Farmer is facing a total of eight charges, including felon in possession of a weapon, felon in possession of ammunition and assault with a dangerous weapon, each of which are four-year felonies; carrying a concealed weapon, a five-year felony; three charges of felony firearm, a two-year felony; and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a two-year misdemeanor.

Farmer was given a $30,000, 10% cash or surety bond. He was scheduled for a probable cause conference at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 9, and according to court records, a motion for a personal protection order will be heard at the same time. At press time, he did not have an attorney listed.

Farmer was being held in the Macomb County Jail as of Aug. 4. If released, he must wear a GPS tether and have no contact with the business owners. A mental health assessment was requested by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office and granted by Hakim.

In March 2023, Farmer reportedly was arrested and pleaded guilty to resisting/obstructing a police officer and possession of drugs. He is expected to be sentenced on these charges later this month, Fraylick said.