Police arrest man accused of assaulting teen at Liberty Plaza
Courtesy of Ann Arbor police
A 27-year-old Whitmore Lake man accused of attacking an Ann Arbor teenager with a blunt object was arrested Tuesday, police said.
Brae McKee was arrested at South Ashley and West William streets by uniformed officers, Ann Arbor police Lt. Robert Pfannes said.
McKee has been arraigned on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, jail records indicate.
He remains at the Washtenaw County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.
Police said McKee attacked an Ann Arbor teen while he was listening to a band play at Liberty Plaza Sunday night. The 17-year-old was sitting down in the area around 8:25 p.m. when he was struck in the head with a blunt object, witnesses told police. The two had an altercation earlier in the day over money and cigarettes, police said.
The assailant fled and the 17-year-old was taken to University of Michigan Hospital with head injuries. An update on his medical condition was not immediately available.
McKee's booking picture was not available Wednesday because the jail's computer system was down.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
aardvark300
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.
I know the victim (and I'm not sharing his name, so don't ask), and I've seen the assailant around. Both are transients. Brae has a history of mental illness and drug use; he rarely seems to know where he is most of the time. The victim I last heard from on Tuesday, where he said he was alright, but I haven't heard from him since. Here's hoping he's still doing well.
towncryer
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
So he attacked someone with a blunt object downtown on Tuesday night? Does he have a history of doing things of this nature?
Honest Abe
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 5:42 a.m.
Counts, When are you going to be publishing an article on the 2011 Ann Arbor rapist/attacker? Feldscher said you were working on it........Seems this has been swept under the rug by AAPD and the media. Abe.
Honest Abe
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 4:36 p.m.
Thank You.
M-Wolverine
Thu, Jul 25, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
Already did- http://www.annarbor.com/news/two-years-later-no-arrests-ever-made-in-7-sexual-assaults/
mgoscottie
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.
Sounds like self-defense to me....
Paul
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 7:49 p.m.
Yeah, we rarely hear the other side of the story unless the defended is rich and can get their story out there. Michigan doesn't have those crazy "stand your ground" laws thou, so S.D. might not fly here.
Barzoom
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.
Nice place to have lunch.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:08 p.m.
"The two had an altercation earlier in the day over money and cigarettes, police said." Since I won't be having any altercations over money and cigarettes with anyone in the park, I don't see this incident as being a major concern.
Paul
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
Maybe, maybe not. Its like traffic accidents, people believe if they drive safe, they be OK and most the time they are correct but not always.
M-Wolverine
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:50 p.m.
Weren't people just claiming that there are no reports of crime in Liberty Plaza? That didn't take long to be proven false.
Paul
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 7:44 p.m.
They always try not to talk about the bad unless they have to.
amlive
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.
Of course this is just one of the few stories that gets reported. There were several police (patrol cars and bicycle patrol) swarming the park only a few hours before this incident yesterday, and someone being loaded in to an ambulance.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:09 p.m.
It remains one of the safest places in the city.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
Another Liberty Plaza fracas fueled by an out-of-towner. What's needed is an ICE outpost.
Goober
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.
ICE has a tendency to let people go.
amlive
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:31 p.m.
I wouldn't be so quick to blame it on an out "out-of-towner". His public Facebook page seems to indicate otherwise.
bill
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
City Council, DDA, AAPD whoever can make the decision. It was so great having the Police visible during the Art Fair at Liberty Plaza. It was finally used as it should be without the sleeping ,urinating, cursing and panhandling. People commented how nice it was. As a close-by merchant it brings business to the area that people usually avoid. Please! Please! consider putting a Police information stand an Ems truck or whatever to have a presence at Liberty Square. We pay the taxes to support the park and the people there now don't. Help make A2 a safe place to visit and shop. Thank you AAPD during AF, and everyday for what you do
KMHall
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
Yes. Take Back The Plaza.
bobslowson
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.
I guess it's easier to be homeless in A2 than in Whitmore Lake where everyone probably knows everyone else!
amlive
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.
Please be sure to update the story with a mugshot when available.
djm12652
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 4:54 p.m.
One more reason for me to spend time enjoying nature in Liberty Plaza...NOT!
KMHall
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
Unfortunately. Again, it could be a great gathering place.