DETROIT (WXYZ) — A woman who fired a shot that killed a man in Detroit is now in custody as police and prosecutors try to determining whether that shot was in self-defense.
"Nathaniel is a loving, kind man. That's why I married him," said Ianna Stokes, the wife of the man shot and killed in Downtown Detroit late Tuesday.
Ianna and Nathaniel Stokes were married over a year go, and the blended family made 34-year-old Nathaniel a father of six. But just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nathaniel was shot in downtown Detroit during what police say was a deadly encounter of road rage.
"I just want.. I just want my son back," said Angela Moore. "She don't know what she did and she need to pay. She need to pay. She need to pay."
Nathaniel Stokes was killed Tuesday night on Jefferson, near the Ren Cen. Police say the road rage encounter involved Nathaniel, who was driving an SUV and two bicyclists. Investigators are still gathering details but it's alleged that Nathaniel exited his vehicle and approached the bicyclists and one of them, a 28-year-old woman and CPL holder, produced her firearm and fired a single shot, striking Nathaniel in the head.
"I'm not going to debate. I'm not going to argue about it, but justice will be served and this, right here, you can't hurt a family and think you're going to get away with it," said Ianna Stokes, Nathaniel's wife. "So where's the weapon at. Produce the weapon."
Sources say the weapon Nathaniel was allegedly armed with was a knife.
"We need justice," Ianna said. "Its not fair for you to take someone's life just because. And it's a senseless thing."
Nathaniel's mother Angela adding, "He was a beautiful son.. work hard. he's a good father, family man."
Nathaniel worked in real estate, Ianna said.
"He was trying to do things with his life," she said. "And if you talk to anyone else, they'll tell you it's just beginning for him. Our life just started moving and I no longer have my husband."
Detroit police say they did recover two weapons, including the woman's gun. 7 Action News will keep you updated on what charges, if any, the woman involved may face.
