DETROIT, MI — A bizarre and dangerous confrontation at a Detroit senior citizen apartment complex ended in gunfire Monday night, but not before an armed attacker had his weapon taken from him and used in self-defense — a real-world example of why the ability to act quickly under pressure can save lives.
Detroit police say the incident happened at the Sheridan Place Apartments on East Jefferson Street during what was first reported as a loud barbecue.
Residents later revealed the truth: it was a long-brewing love triangle between tenants in their 60s and 70s that escalated into violence.
According to multiple witnesses, a man in his early 70s became enraged that his former love interest — a 65-year-old woman known to neighbors as “Johnnie” — was dating a new boyfriend, himself in his 70s and in a wheelchair.
“He said he was gonna kill him, and that’s what he said he was going to do,” longtime resident Reginal Ervin told FOX 2 Detroit. Moments later, the suspect allegedly pulled a gun and shot Johnnie’s new boyfriend and two other bystanders.
That’s when the tables turned. The gunman was tackled by another resident, causing him to drop the weapon. The love interest in this tri fecta, Johnnie, picked up the gun and, in what police say was self-defense, shot her attacker — ending the threat before more people were hurt.
All four people struck by gunfire, including the shooter, were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive.
Residents say they aren’t a rowdy crowd, making the violence even more shocking. “We’re senior citizens. We’re supposed to retire, we’re supposed to have a good time, drink our daiquiris,” said neighbor Earnest Clark.
Detroit Assistant Chief Arnold Williams called the shooting “so ridiculous in nature that you can’t even explain it,” urging people to resolve conflicts without gunfire. Prosecutors have not yet announced any charges, but police confirmed Johnnie has been released without charges as the investigation continues.
For gun owners, the case is a reminder that danger can come without warning — even in the most unlikely settings — and that decisive action, including gaining control of an attacker’s weapon, can be the difference between life and death.
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It don’t matter how old they are, n*ggas going act like n*ggas. Not all blacks act like this but these morons put people of their ethnicity in a bad light.
Not ridiculous at all, just everyday behavior for blacks
The old days where people of a certain ethnic group would “cut” each other to display their disapproval are over. Now It’s considered acceptable behavior to “pop” or “trigger” or “light up” or “clap” or “hose” each other. It’s so common a behavior that there are dozens, or more likely hundreds of euphemisms for “shoot somebody.” Until this behavior is discouraged by the community, it will continue to be prevalent. An obvious solution would be to economically encourage a different family structure.
As most you here know by now I’m an American who is black. I truly hate people who are thugs and prescribe to that lifestyle and evil comes in all colors. Yes, I represent 12.1% no longer 13% (due to Commie abortions and black on black crime) of the population and the cold hard fact we commit 52% of the violent crimes. No fathers in the home and worst of all NO ACCOUNTABILITY there also!!! There are so many news feeds portraying that glaring elephant in the room!!! There I said it!!! I’m no n*gga or n*gger just a proud… Read more »
Damn old people…..
Say, foo, das my chicken leg
If it’s an assisted living facility or nursing facility, firearms are prohibited for residents. This is the rule in all states. Of course, gun laws were as respected here as on the street.
Most of us remember how intensely we hated competition for the affection of one or more females in our younger years. Most of us probably entertained some pretty extreme ideas for getting rid of that competition at one time or another with the only thing stopping that idea from becoming reality, being the thought of years in prison and loss of gun rights. Now imagine how it must be for those old fogeys. Not only are you uneasy at the thought of your beloved swapping bodily fluids born of passion with that other guy, what if his catheter bag leaks… Read more »
There collective incompetence makes this totally laughable!! But … how can there be any self defense if ” The gunman was tackled by another resident, causing him to drop the weapon. The love interest in this tri fecta, Johnnie, picked up the gun and, in what police say was self-defense, shot her attacker” ?
The attacker had been disarmed and no longer presented an imminent threat.