POLL: Has the Stars & Stripes Shooting Changed Your Opinion on the Event's Safety?
A shooting following the 2012 Stars & Stripes Festival fireworks Friday in Mount Clemens has some Patch readers vowing never to return to the event, while others say the event is still safe.
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Despite Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham's assurance that "it's still safe to come downtown" following Friday's shooting at the Stars & Stripes Festival, some Macomb Patch readers say they're not so sure.
As thousands of people left the annual fireworks display around 10:35 p.m. Friday, an 18-year-old Warren man shot a 19-year-old Detroit man in the leg on Market Street, Wickersham said Saturday. The fight is believed to have started over a pair of Cartier sunglasses.
"There was a confrontation between two males," Wickersham said. "The suspect took the (sun)glasses off the head of the victim."
When the victim went to get his Cartier sunglasses back, the suspect "pulls out a gun and shoots him in the leg," he said.
The suspect then dropped the gun and fled. Nearby deputies, who were on hand for the event, apprehended him and retrieved the weapon.
Patch reader Rebekah O'Brien was one of the fireworks attendees to witness the shooting.
"This happened less then 20 feet away from me and my family," O'Brien posted on Patch. "What if it hit a child? Would you still say its safe to come down and bring your children! The crowds were out of control! ... I will never bring my family back again!"
Jennifer Kozlowski Green had similar feelings.
"Shooting at MC fireworks and Detroit. What next? Makes me wonder should we go to any of these firework events," Green posted on Patch's Facebook page.
However Dennis Surdu said the incident won't deter him from enjoying the annual event.
"I was there, TONS of people, didn't hear/see any incidents," he posted on Facebook. "Crowds seem to have a good time, music was great, food was tasty. Likely going back for more tonight."
The Warren man is being lodged in Macomb County Jail, where he will be given interim bond Sunday. He is expected to be arraigned on felony charges Monday. The Sheriff's Office said it is seeking attempted murder, armed robbery and felony firearm charges from the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office. It was not determined by Saturday if those charges would be authorized for this case.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries.
The shooting took place as an estimated 50,000 people were in the city's downtown for the multi-day festival, Wickersham said.
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Chad Miller
12:11 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
I went there last night. Knew about the shooting and supposed stabbing from Friday. Felt just as safe as I am at any other event, or shopping mall for that matter. Things happen. Just because of one persons actions, shouldn't give the whole event a bad name.
Tim Carroll
10:30 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
This poll seems a little biased
SandiC
4:04 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Don't wear expensive sunglasses on your head...at night! Duh!
Alphonse
4:35 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
this event has gotten too big! for many years me and my family have enjoyed this event. we look forward to seeing everyone we see once a year. I went sunday and I didn't see a face I know!! What happened to the farmers market! this event belongs to the Mount Clemens Natives, lets bring it back to the clem!
Liz MacDonald
9:10 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
I was looking forward to going and seeing what different venders had to offer at the fair, well there use to be nice art work, but this year it was just junk vender type of stuff. There seemed to be rides for the kids and that was about it. I thought there would be more food venders on the street too. We go during the day, I know there is a lot of people that like to go at night and see the bands. The shooting had nothing to do with me probably not going next year, there just was not a lot for us to see this year.
Frank Cusumano
2:20 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
This reminds me of the shooting at the Detroit Fireworks in late June 2004, near the FIST on Jefferson Avenue. Remember? A shooter shot into the crowd, killing one (about a month later) and wounding six. The Detroit Police arrested the Darren (spelled Daron in other reports) T. Caldwell and charged him with murder and attempted murder.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-06-24-detroit-shooting_x.htm
In October the Detroit Police released him, and charges were dropped.
http://injusticebusters.org/04/Caldwell_Daron.shtml
The actual shooter (whoever that is) is still walking those splendid streets of Detroit. Thanks, but no thanks. I am not going to risk catching a stray round in the head because an imbecile decides he wants to fight over a woman or a pair of sunglasses. I certainly wont endanger my children unless the City sets up a weapons free Green Zone like in Baghdad.