Ypsilanti man shot in the head Friday in critical condition
Ypsilanti Police Sergeant Brent Yuchasz is shown taping off the house where a 20-year-old man was shot in the head Friday afternoon.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
A release sent out by Ypsilanti Police Department said after locating residents of the home and conducting interviews, it appears the man was holding the gun to his head in a "Russian Roulette fashion" when he pulled the trigger and injured himself. The gun used was a .32 caliber revolver.
As AnnArbor.com reported earlier, the man was rushed to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti following the incident where he is alive and in critical condition as of 7:30 p.m., according to police.
Neighbors told AnnArbor.com earlier on Friday they hadn't heard any commotion at the home earlier in the day.
It’s not clear at this point if the shooting will be pursued with a criminal investigation or ruled an accidental shooting.
If you have any additional information regarding this case, the Ypsilanti Police Department asks that you call 734-482-9878 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAKUP (773-2587).
Cole Bertsos is a news producer and copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her by email at colebertsos@annarbor.com or by phone at (734) 623-2567.
Comments
LHagerty
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 3:56 a.m.
As the mother of this man, I can tell you that your information has a lot of inaccuracies. Per his death certificate, he was pronounced dead at 5:32pm on Friday after I had to make the decision to take him off life support once he was pronounced brain dead! He was not trying to commit suicide, he made a poor decision, and his so called "friends" chose not to stop him. And he was not RUSHED to to the hospital. They didn't call 911 because they didn't want police at their house , so he was thrown in the back seat of a car and they tried to dump him off saying they found him in the road! Maybe all facts should be gathered before reporting anything. And to all you others making comments on this without knowing either the full story or my son, shame on you! Who are you to presume to know what he was doing or thinking. I had to bury my 20 year old son yesterday who also happened to be my baby! I can't even begin to describe to anyone the gaping hole this has left in my life. It was a poor decision, nothing more, nothing less. Please let the family grieve without the added BS comments! His Mom!
Milton Shift
Wed, Apr 10, 2013 : 9:08 a.m.
This is heartbreaking, I can't even imagine what you're going through.
eridani
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
He was rushed to the hospital by "friends" and dropped of as a John Doe. He passed late Saturday when his family removed him from life support.
Greg
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
Also, a2cents blaming the gun for this is beyond silly. Someone cuts themselves and it is the knifes fault??? Logic need not apply apparently.
JRW
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
It's not clear at this point if the shooting will be pursued with a criminal investigation or ruled an accidental shooting. Not sure how playing Russian Roulette, a conscious, deliberate act, is an accident. Either you are pointing a gun at your head, or you are not.
Buzz light year
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:36 p.m.
Crazy kids. What will they think of next
mady
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
Yikes!
a2cents
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
Another example of the need for more guns be it games or suicide, the population needs more firearms.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2 p.m.
Too often, police have to deal with reluctant or unreliable witnesses and are left only with whatever physical evidence there is when trying to determine what happened in any kind of shooting incident. Naturally, without conclusive evidence, police are reluctant to classify these incidents as "criminal" "accidental" or "suicide." In this case, the term ".32 caliber revolver" isn't helpful because there are at least 4 different handgun cartridges of this caliber in use. Any given revolver of that caliber may or may not be able to fire two versions, adding to the uncertainty. Two popular cartridges are the .32 S&W Long and the .32 H&R Magnum, the latter may not be fired safely in revolvers chambered for the former. The .32 S&W Long was developed about 100 yrs. ago, the Magnum version was introduced in 1984. Police did not specify if either of these 2 chamberings apply but their lethality, while low, might easily put someone who was shot in the head at close range in "critical condition." Maybe Ms. Bertsos could ask police to tell which .32 cartridge was used in the revolver used in this incident. Based on statements of doctors, the most likely outcome is that the subject may survive but with permanent brain damage. Very sad.
Brad
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
Enquiring minds want to know!
Cole Bertsos
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
I just spoke with the Ypsilanti Police Department and as of now, there is no update on the man's condition, but if I hear anything I will be sure to pass the word along!
LHagerty
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 4:06 a.m.
You will have nothing positive to report. My son died Friday night, and you have a lot of inaccuracies in your story. Maybe you shouldn't report til you have the full story! I can send you a copy of his death notice if you would like to publish that as well.
Cole Bertsos
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
@Cameron I'm still looking in to it and no one has been able to provide me with an answer. I hope I have something positive to report back but if not, i'm very sorry for your loss.
Cameron McLain
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 7 p.m.
He passed last night. Sorry to keep commenting. Had to look into it when I saw you say there was no update.
Cameron McLain
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
Disregard that comment. I cant find a definite answer at the moment. Sorry.
Cameron McLain
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:40 p.m.
He passed yesterday. Hence why I asked if you're post was accurate, I was told around 730.
Sam S Smith
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:51 a.m.
Special thoughts and prayers for this young man, his family and friends!
Linda Peck
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:51 a.m.
God bless this young man.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:30 a.m.
Wow Mike - way to go! A man is grievously injured attempting suicide and you see fit to joke about it by making a snarky comment about the town he was in. Good Friday and happy Easter!
MIKE
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.
Sorry Bluto, I was simply observing that there's a lot going on in Ypsi lately, one way streets changing, shootings, fires, etc. Don't be so sensitive.
KMHall
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 4:04 p.m.
jcj - amen and edit! Let the tasteless haters exercise free speech somewhere else.
jcj
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:44 p.m.
Buzz Too bad a2.com isn't more selective about the commenter pool.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.
Hey Craig - It doesn't sound callous and I understand your point. Its a fine line. But ultimately I have to believe playing Russian Roulette is a form of suicide more than a thrill.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:44 p.m.
This will sound callous but it it isn't meant to be. If the guy was actually playing "Russian roulette" in the typically accepted definition can the losing result actually be considered a suicide attempt? I would think Russian roulette is about defying death whereas suicide is about embracing death.
mpope
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:14 a.m.
may God help this poor guy.
MIKE
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.
Wow, Ypsi sure has been busy lately.
Aaron
Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.
I understand how percentages work but the argument here is that crime in Ypsilanti is reported more often then crime in Ann Arbor. There is more crime incidents in Ann Arbor then there is in Ypsilanti hence there should be more articles about crime in Ann Arbor then in Ypsilanti. The opposite seems to be the growing trend by certain news websites... JRW was alittle confused by his own facts. Because the crime index is higher in Ypsilanti does not necessarly mean there is more crime incidences in Ypsilanti then Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor has significantly more rape and assault, now Ypsilanti did have one murder and Ann Arbor had zero so that is a negative on Ypsilanti but overall more reports of crime in Ypsilanti then Ann Arbor even in "News Worthy" crimes.
eagleman
Tue, Apr 2, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
Aaron, Ann Arbor is three times the size of Ypsilanti. So of course there will be "more crime" as there are more people. What we want to see is which city has more crime PER CAPITA. As for crime reports it depends on the crime. For example, rapes, assaults, and murders will receive more attention than burglaries, thefts, etc. Thefts generate yawns, beatings generate page views.
Aaron
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.
@JRW if you look at the number of crimes on the website you mentioned you will see that they are higher for Ann Arbor then Ypsilanti. This means there should be more articles on Ann Arbor.com about crimes in Ann Arbor then Ypsilanti, but it seems to be the opposite. That's a fact. Check it out!
JRW
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:52 p.m.
@87, all you have to do is look at crime reports and crime rates per capita and you will see the crime rates in Ypsi, or any other city. One good website for this is city-data.com. Reporting crime in a straightforward manner, such as aa dot com, is not slanted reporting. Ypsi has crime and it is reported. When AA has crime, that's reported too. More crime in Ypsi vs AA. That's a fact. Check it out on city-data.com.
EightySeven
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:02 a.m.
I'm not saying that there isn't crime in Ypsi, But slanted media reports can lead to that misconception. Just as much crime happens in A2 but if its not reported than no one knows
brian
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
But thanks to YPD and YFD, we are pretty darn safe here.
Cameron McLain
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
Alive and in critical condition? Is that accurate?
Cameron McLain
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.
Nothing about it doesnt seem accurate, I asked because he is my friend. I was told he passed yesterday before I had asked if that was accurate.
dancinginmysoul
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:31 p.m.
What about that doesn't seem accurate?
Cole Bertsos
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:25 a.m.
As of last night at 7:30 p.m., he was alive and in critical condition. I have not been in touch with the police today, but as soon as I hear something I will be updating the story.