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Person of interest sought in series of shootings that include homes of senior citizens

Posted at 6:16 PM, Nov 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-08 18:16:51-05

Police are searching for a person of interest in a string of shootings that have targeted the homes of senior citizens in one Detroit neighborhood.

"If we had been sitting up, we should have got shot," said Curtis, a senior citizen living on Pingree Street near Dexter Avenue.

Curtis pointed to the chair and couch where he and his wife, Gertha, usually sit.

"Both of us would have got shot," he said.

Early Saturday morning, over 20 bullets hit the couple's home and one of their vehicles parked outside. 

"I was in shock," Gertha said. "I never experienced anything like that before."

7 Action News is withholding the couple's last name. 

Detroit police believe the person who shot up the home on Pingree Street is also responsible for a series of shootings on the home of an 84-year-old woman and another home, all located in the area of Dexter and Joy Road. 

On Thursday, Detroit police released a picture of a man they're calling a person of interest. 

Police say the 51-year-old man once lived in the neighborhood where the shootings are taking place. 

"This person of interest is known to open carry assault type weapons," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig. 

The 84-year-old victim, whose house has been the target of at least four of the shootings, told 7 Action News that she doesn't recognize the man being sought for questioning.

The woman added that at this point, what she can't afford to do is move. 

"The wisest thing to do is to have faith in the Lord and stay here," said Jewel Leekes, 84.

Anyone with information on the person of interest or a suspect in the shootings is urged to call investigators at Detroit Police 10th Precinct at 313-596-1040. 

Click on the video to hear from Chief Craig and some of the victims.