Police: Man fired 1 shot at windshield of cab before scuffling with driver, fleeing with woman
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office deputies talk to each other while investigating a shooting Thursday afternoon.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Related: Windshield shot out of cab during hold up attempt near Ann Arbor
This story has been updated with information that the gun used in the incident was found.
A cab driver fought off a man who fired one gunshot through the windshield of his vehicle Thursday morning following a verbal disagreement while en route to Superior Township, according to police.
In a statement released by Sgt. Geoffrey Fox, of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, deputies said a man and a woman called the cab to the area of Plymouth and Dixboro roads in order to get to a Superior Township location. Once in the cab, the driver and the man got into a disagreement.
The man pulled out a gun and fired one shot through the windshield of the cab, leading to a physical struggle where the driver grabbed the gun. The man eventually got free and the two passengers fled the area on foot.
Police were dispatched to the area at 8:20 a.m. and began searching for the suspects. Once being notified of their location by a nearby resident, investigators chased them into an area near the Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard High School campus.
Both the man and the woman were arrested and are in police custody.
Fox said just before 3 p.m. that the gun used in the incident had been found.
The investigation into this incident continues, and police still were in the area processing the scene.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
music to my ear
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.
HE TOLD HIM I have not had my coffee yet dont get on my nerves
Mick52
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 : 2:11 a.m.
I had a buddy who drove a cab in Cleveland several decades ago. The cabs had a bulletproof window between the driver and passenger, a bulletproof front seat and the back doors were like a police cars, the driver had to let you out. One day a fare pulled a gun and tried to rob him. He drove the guy to the police station. Thus it is possible to make cabs relatively robbery free. But I suppose it might be harrowing to be in an accident in such a vehicle where the driver is knocked out.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.
So, was the perp from Ypsilanti or not?
John of Saline
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
Being a cab driver is quite a dangerous profession, if you look at the stats.
UtrespassM
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
I saw a blue cab and a SUV on tow truck. The police blocked one of the two entries of the subdivision. Three calls came from UM, telling us the suspect was arrested. UM campus is safe.
UtrespassM
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
The suspected guy is not a resident of the subdivision.
nickcarraweigh
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
Some people just wake up grouchy.
beeswing
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
Really, nickcarraweigh, I was thinking same! What, out of coffee or something? I know it would be awaay too much drama for me-- at least before 10 a.m. !
J Miller
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
The school was in session. The principal heard the shots and immediately took action to protect the students and staff. Thankfully, the police were quick to respond and the interruption was minimal.
A2comments
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
I don't see how it's possible that the principal heard shots from that intersection. It is possible he heard the radio call, or he was alerted, since U of M sent out an emergency alert also.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
While the man allegedly used a gun improperly in a dispute, there still remains the question of what a citizen should do (is legally entitled to do) when the taxi driver is the one who provoked and used hostile tactics on the citizen. Years ago, I had to call on Night Ride to get home. After the driver picked me up, he asked if I knew that the fare was X amount of dollars. The Night Ride at the time was only $1, so naturally I (politely) told him the fare was $1. The driver was clearly angered at having to convey a $1 fare: so he soon picked up other riders which forced me to sit in the front seat next to him. For the rest of the ride: the taxi driver singled me out for "not following his orders" regarding seat belt use and other minor (just delayed, not refused) "rules." I was effectively at his mercy - and he showed me none, threatening to force me out of the taxi. So what is the legal advice for such circumstances? What are the general rules for citizens who witness taxi drivers acting dangerously or outside of the law?
rusty shackelford
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
I would make a point of letting him see you write down his name and license number, which should be displayed prominently. If his harassment continues, instruct him to stop or you will report him. If he is doing something immediately dangerous, instruct him to stop that behavior. If he refuses, tell him to stop or he you will file a complaint. Also, in general it is a good practice to mentally note the cab number whenever possible. Several ways to do this... ask the dispatcher the cab no. that is picking you up, check for it painted on the cab (this will be the company's number for that car) or the number on the medallion. Of course, this can be difficult to do at night and you won't know in advance if there's going to be a problem. Just do it every time to make sure things go ok. Best practice is to find a GOOD cab driver, give him a generous tip, and get his personal cell, calling that first when necessary to see if he can give you a ride before calling dispatch. This is much faster and in the long run cheaper.
Joe Hood
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
Standard operation procedure is apparently to fire a round through the windshield. That's as close as you can get to putting one across their bow.
Billy
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Hoss....that's how nightride works....you get to SHARE a cab with other people....that's why it only costs you $1....ONE DOLLAR....do you know what normal fare is? Do you have any idea what it costs JUST to drop the flag? If you angered the driver...it was because you called for a regular cab and THEN told him you were a nightride. Now the driver was being effectively forced into a nightride run. The anger though...sounds like it was caused by your entitled attitude combined with your lack of knowing how nightride operates. ALSO....regarding the seatbelt issue....if nightride was $1 this is a WHILE ago...like you might have been in a YELLOW Cab(r) it was so long ago. At that point in time a cab driver could be ticketed for having a front seat passenger that was unbuckled. $200+ ticket....
smokeblwr
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
Good thing school wasn't in session. We can thank the Tourism Lobby for the post-Labor Day school year!
lsl
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.
The school was open and our fearless leader, Principal Mr. Wilcot, was on top of it and sent messages to the parents to avoid any kind of panic. Way to go Mr. Wilcot!
ManA2
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.
The school was open. Only public schools must open later.
treetowncartel
Thu, Aug 30, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
Is the high school up by Domino's Farms. If it is, I bet it isn't too far offf of one of the paths in Marshall Park. which they most likely went through to get there.