Ann Arbor police seek information, offer reward to help solve two 'brutal' assaults
Updated: 4:20 p.m. Friday
Jean-Claude Soloman was walking alone on Granger Avenue toward Packard Street on Oct. 9 — the night of the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University football game — when a short exchange of words led to a life-altering incident.
At about 10 p.m., Soloman passed a man and woman walking. The man said, "Go State," to which Soloman replied, "Go Blue." They engaged in a short exchange of profanity, but Soloman said he kept walking.
"I heard something behind me, as I looked back he punched me (in the face)," Soloman recalled.
Ann Arbor Detective Dave Monroe said that was one of two separate "brutal" assaults in October. Both remain unsolved, and Monroe said he needs help from the public to identify the assailants.
A $1,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in connection with either case, Monroe said.
"When I came to, somebody said they called 911, and I actually drove myself to the hospital," said Soloman, a 22-year-old Eastern Michigan University accounting senior. "There was blood all over. I figured I probably shouldn't wait."
The attacker punched and kicked Soloman several times, both while he was standing and while he was on the ground, resulting in several chipped and broken teeth, a broken nose, a concussion, and injuries that required more than 100 stitches to his mouth, lips and chin.
The scene prompted five different people to call police, Monroe said.
Monroe said a witness recalled the woman who had been walking with the assailant saying, "You can't just leave this guy here." And, Monroe said, the woman waited with the victim for "a little while."
The attacker was described as possibly a dark-skinned white man, Latino or light-skinned black man, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall and about 180 pounds. He was bald or had short hair.
Soloman said he didn't know the man.
"It happened really fast," he said. "I really didn't have time to think about anything."
While driving to the hospital, Soloman said he called his boss at the bank where he works as a personal banker to say he wouldn't be able to go in the next day.
Soloman said his nose remains broken, he lost one tooth at the scene and is at risk of losing three more. He said he missed about a week and a half of work and class after the attack, and it could be a year before his teeth are completely repaired.
"Just the dental work alone could cost $20,000 to $30,000 for the implants and stuff," he said.
Soloman urged anyone with information to call Ann Arbor police and advised people: "Don't walk alone at night."
In another assault that occurred on Oct. 15, an 18-year-old man was struck with a beer bottle at The Fifth Quarter, resulting in vision loss.
Monroe said the incident began with a verbal argument between the victim and another person at the bar. Then the assailant, who wasn't involved in the argument, interjected himself.
The man struck the victim once in the face with a beer bottle, causing severe injuries to the victim's right eye and mouth, Monroe said.
The victim's mother said her son, a U-M freshman, has suffered from vision loss in his right eye, which may be permanent. She asked that her name be withheld to protect the identity of her son.
The victim has had two surgical procedures on his eye and may need more, his mother said, as well as surgery to his mouth.
"I have to be optimistic, otherwise I would be crying every day," she said. "(My son) said, 'I can't imagine people who are blind. ... It's the scariest thing, Mom, the scariest thing in the world.'"
The attacker is described as a "college aged" white man with light brown hair that's "possibly somewhat curly in the back."
The victim's mother urged anyone with information regarding the assault to come forward.
"If you see something, you have to say something. It's the only way to be safe. ... Don't ever be afraid of being ostracized for doing the right thing," she said. "We will not rest until we find this kid. Whatever it takes."
The mother said her family may be willing to offer additional reward money to get the case solved.
Police initially said the assault could be connected to a member of a fraternity. But Monroe said "no fraternity issue(s)" were a factor in the incident.
Monroe described both incidents as "very unnecessary, brutal attacks."
Anyone with information on either assault is asked to call Det. Monroe at (734) 794-6930, ext. 49308, or e-mail the tip Line at TIPS@a2gov.org.
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Heather
Thu, Dec 22, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.
I know J.C. ... he's my younger brother and while he likes to talk, he's a smart kid ... he knows better then to get into it with a drunk moron. That being said, I saw the damage that this guy called. He didn't just punch J.C. ... he hit him once, twice and the second time, J.C. was knocked to the ground, and while J.C. was unconscious, he was kicked in the face ... even if J.C. had said something to provoke getting punched in the face, this was major over kill. And about the other kid, just because he went to a bar that's supposed to be 21 and up doesn't mean he was drinking; yeah, he probably was, it's college, it happens. He still didn't deserve to get assaulted ... I feel for him and for his family. J.C.'s doing great now, by the way, he's had a few surgeries, including one to strengthen his jaw so that it could support the teeth implants that he needs and he should be getting his final procedure here soon, as soon as his teeth are ready. If his attacker ever sees this, I have one word for you buddy: karma!
Bernie
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
You witnesses should come forward and put this animal away before he kills someone, you can do it anonymously!, do it!, its the right thing to do, even if it takes some of your time!!
someguy734
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
dude your not going to find out who it was, stuff like this happens all the time around here. only thing you really can do now is move on, and improve your situational awareness
someguy734
Sun, Nov 7, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
and that kids is why we don't say "go state" in downtown Ann Arbor....
Jean-Claude Soloman
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
Guys, I am actually the victim from the attack on Granger. To the above posts, the correct spelling of my last name is Soloman. Also really the only part of the story that is different in The Washtenaw Voice is the dollar amount that it is going to take for my dental work. That amount changed inbetween the two articles that I was interviewed for. Also I did not take the picture myself, it was my girlfriend that took the picture. I would really appreciate it if anybody does know any information about the assailant. Thanks.
win
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 8:42 a.m.
@ GreenPus "Sorry, but I will exercise my first amendment rights to speak and if you think that entitles you to attack me, I will introduce you to my second amendment right. When a few of these parasites end up in the morgue, the intimidation will stop. Call it tough love." Love it!! And agree 100%.
walker101
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.
He should have just kept walking.
Basic Bob
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
In all likelihood both of the assailants were drunk. If they were sober or stoned on pot it would have blown over. I'm not sure why people in Ann Arbor get so enraged about the Spartans. I get less grief wearing the scarlet and gray.
quetzalcoatl
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 11:22 p.m.
Victim Solomon (or Soloman; -- the crack copy desk at annarbor.com spells it two different ways in two successive paragraphs) tells a substantially different tale in the Washtenaw Voice story the link leads you to. And what annarbor.com calls the "graphic photo" is credited there with being taken by the victim himself. Pretty tough guy. Drives himself to the hospital, gets 100 stitches, then takes his own picture. I think he has figured out how to spell "lawsuit", too, but I just can't figure out who he has in mind.
Keepsitreal
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.
Go blue!
Polecat
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.
No Rusty, I don't prefer the.357 magnum, I carry a 9mm with hollowpoints and others like me were at the scene, the kid wouldn't have been hit after the first punch and the assailant would be held until police came.
LaMusica
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
Wow this is really worrisome. I work in downtown AA and since there's no parking, I have to park about 3 blocks away. Not very far, but I go in at 5 or 5:30am and walking alone sometimes makes the walk seem a lot further...gonna have to be extra careful with all these assaults/armed robberies that have been happening...
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.
I can't believe the victim blaming I see in the comments on this site regularly. It's sad. Who cares if the kid exchanged profanities with the other guy. The other guy assaulted him! That's light-years away from slinging invectives. Sorry, but there is just no excuse or justification for assault, ever. Definitely not because someone dropped an "f" bomb or two. Give me a break.
Stupid Hick
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 4:06 p.m.
I sure hope you CPL heroes make sure you have a clear shot before you start shooting at someone on football saturday in front of the stadium. Sheesh!
Kyrie
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
isn't the 5th quarter 21 and up? And this kid was a freshman?
GreenPus
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
Rusty, I am one of them. This incident is just another reason why. TruBlu76, since when is saying "Go Blue" in Ann Arbor "engaging in provocative verbal exchanges presenting the risk of attack"? Sorry, but I will exercise my first amendment rights to speak and if you think that entitles you to attack me, I will introduce you to my second amendment right. When a few of these parasites end up in the morgue, the intimidation will stop. Call it tough love.
Peacemaker
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
So the Fifth Quarter eschews any responsibility and goes merrily on its way making a profit from seling alcoholic beverages? No supervision ro control by the bartender or a bouncer? How do you define an "attractive nuisance"? Perhaps we should more closely police the local establishments that have the privilege of a liquor license. And it isn't just the Fifth Quarter, either!
Bcar
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:24 p.m.
I'll bite rusty... May not help with the initial cold-cock, but anyone with any practice knows how to draw and shoot from the ground :) Not to mention the heightened level of alertness most permit holders have while carrying. Regardless if someone makes the choice to take their safety into their own hands with a firearm or not, being alert during situations like this can mean the difference between life and injury/death when seconds count, the police are only minutes away
rusty shackelford
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
I've yet to see any gun trolls weigh in on having a loaded.357 on your person at all times helps save you from getting cold-cocked in the back of the head. Any takers?
Davidian
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.
This guy didn't deserve this, but unfortunately, we live in a very violent society. You never know what kind of psycho you're going to encounter. Best to just keep to yourself. Poor guy.
RJA
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.
No matter the words exchanged, this should have never happened. Sad and horrible it is. GO MICHIGAN!
FreedomOfSpeech
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:23 p.m.
"I heard something behind me, as I looked back he punched me (in the face)," Soloman recalled." - A2.com "He hit me from behind on the side of my head and knocked me out." -The Washtenaw Voice
Mick52
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
I hope the $1000 is enough to get the woman with the assailant on Granger to call in. Maybe the reward should be advertised as "negotiable." "They engaged in a short exchange of profanity..." Hmmm. Feel sorry for this man, but was he assaulted, or did he loose the fight? Seen that before and often involves some exchange of profanity or just words. We do have only one side to this story.
d_a2
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.
and to think there is actually people like "*1" boy who condone not doing anything to help and just standing by and watching. what a horrible story.