Prosecutor approves eight felony counts against accused shooter

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has approved eight felony charges against the man who allegedly shot another man in the chest just before 10 p.m. Feb. 5 in the parking lot of the Van Buren Township Walmart store.
On Monday, Van Buren Township Police Lieutenant Charles Bazzy reported the charges are:
• assault with intent to murder;
• assault with attempt to do great bodily harm less than murder;
• armed robbery;
• felony assault; and
• four counts of felony firearm.
The 19-year-old Ypsilanti resident has been in custody in the Washtenaw County Jail on an unrelated charge and was slated for a court hearing Monday afternoon.
Lt. Bazzy said if he is released, they will hold him for Wayne County charges. Lt. Bazzy expected a video arraignment on the charges from the Washtenaw County Jail to the 34th District Court.
The suspect’s name will not be released until after he is officially arraigned.
Lt. Bazzy said the charges were made possible due to the work of Det. John Bettendorf who talked to the victim and got him to cooperate.
At the time of the shooting, Lt. Bazzy said the two men were sitting in the suspect’s car during an illegal transaction when the shooting occurred. The victim got out of the car, called 911 and ran into the Walmart grocery store entrance for help.
Walmart employees and VBT responders rendered aid before the ambulance arrived. The victim was taken to a hospital and Lt. Bazzy said he is “fine for all intents and purposes.” At the time the victim refused to cooperate with police.