ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (WXYZ) — Two people are recovering after a gunman in St. Clair Shores opened fire on his neighbors. Neighbors say a third person, a woman who lives with the man, is unaccounted for.
Since 10 p.m. on Thursday night, police have been trying to bring a situation involving a gunman to an end near 13 Mile and St. Margaret Street. Police have released few details, but 7 Action News has learned that the situation became a police situation after a man in his 60s opened fire on children playing in the street with sparklers. Neighbors describe the gunman as a veteran who has had several run-ins with locals. He has lived in the home for about five years, police confirm.
The victim who were shot have been identified as a 62-year-old female St. Clair Shores resident and a 10-year-old female Detroit resident. Both victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The home where the gunman is believed to be has been surrounded by tactical vehicles and police. At one point a vehicle rammed the front of the home leaving a substantial amount of damage, visible in a picture sent to 7 Action News — tear gas was also fired into the home. Police say brief contact was made with the suspect, but he refused to exit the residence.
Police say that on multiple occasions, the suspect continued to fire shots at police.
The St. Clair Shores Deputy Chief confirmed the man shot at the tactical robot as it approached the home. He also fired shots at the armored vehicle that breached the front of his house.
NEW: Neighbor of the barricaded gunman situation shows me this photo — it’s what the house looks like, now. Unsure of how damage was done. A tank was out here earlier per crews on scene. @wxyzdetroit 1/2 pic.twitter.com/BAmVoThRJ1
— Matthew Smith (@MattSmithWXYZ) July 5, 2019
The 10-year-old victim's aunt, Channita Jackson, told 7 Action News that a family member had put her over their shoulder and run away from the shooting when the young girl was struck in the arm. Her mother was also shot.
“Once we got the kids in the house, I was standing by the door to let my Mom in and he shot right at the door and he shot the windows out,” said Jackson.
Jackson told 7 Action News reporter Matthew Smith that she's had run-ins with the man dating back at least a year. According to her, she's called police on him in the past because he entered her home and started arguing with her. Jackson said she's filed police reports and contacted police repeatedly, she said it's been an ongoing battle to get police attention.
"It's too late now," she said, frustrated that the situation turned into a shooting.
Police have not commented on a third woman who neighbors say is unaccounted for. They tell 7 Action News that the home at the center of the police situation belongs to her, and that she came out apologizing to people Thursday night before returning inside the home.
People are urged to avoid the area.
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