Pittsfield Township police say evidence points to self-defense; man who was shot was armed

Investigators say they’ve uncovered evidence that a Pittsfield Township homeowner was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot another man outside his home Wednesday morning. Both men were armed when they got into a dispute, police revealed this afternoon.

The shooting took place early Wednesday on Rockport Court in the Arbor Creek subdivision.

The accused shooter, Adham Mofiid Abu Farha, 34, was released from the Washtenaw County Jail this afternoon as police continue to investigate the shooting outside Farha’s home in the Arbor Creek subdivision. Police say Michael Robert Rajchel, 28, of Van Buren Township, came to Farha’s home at 2361 Rockport Court, on the township’s northwest side, before 8:30 a.m. He was carrying a loaded semi-automatic handgun, Pittsfield Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger said. The two men got into Farha’s SUV, and numerous shots were fired. About 20 elementary students were waiting at a school bus stop across the street. Harshberger declined to say what led to the shooting. He said police are still interviewing witnesses and may release additional details early next week. Farha, who had a concealed weapons permit, fired multiple shots, Harshberger said.

Farha could not be reached by AnnArbor.com today. It does not appear Rajchel fired his gun, Harshberger said. He declined to reveal whether Rajchel had a concealed weapons permit. Farha was arrested just outside his home when officers got there. He was held in the Washtenaw County Jail until this afternoon. Washtenaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Burke said the prosecutor's office has asked detectives to continue investigating before a decision is made on any possible criminal charges. Burke declined to discuss the reason for today's decision or any other aspects of the investigation. According to a police press release, the prosecutor’s office is waiting for autopsy and toxicology results before making a decision.