Dearborn City Councilman assaulted outside Red Wings game

Man gets 4 stitches to face after attack by angry fan

DETROIT – Dearborn City Councilman Bob Abraham was assaulted Sunday when he was leaving the Detroit Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings were playing rival Chicago Blackhawks. Abraham was leaving the game with his son and his son's two friends who are from Chicago. The Chicago natives were wearing Blackhawks jerseys.

"We ran into a gentleman who was just not happy to see Blackhawks fans in Detroit," Abraham said.

The man was driving a blue Chevrolet sports utility vehicle out of a parking lot west of the arena. He got out of the SUV to confront the Chicago fans with Abraham.

"I remember telling the guy, 'Just please, go back to your car. They're just kids. They're not bothering anyone," Abraham said. "Before I knew it, I was on the ground."

His wife, Mary Ann Abraham, was just a few feet away. She was driving near the Joe to pick up her husband and the others.

"He hit Bob several times," she said. "Blood all over the place. I didn't know if this guy was going to pull a knife or a gun."

She drove him to Henry Ford Hospital where he was treated and received four stitches to his face.

"They gave me four stitches to try and close the wound over my eye," he said.

Abraham's 14-year-old daughter also witnessed the attack.

"She's devastated as am I," he said. "It just shouldn't happen."

He is expected to recover from his injuries which includes a swollen eye and the cut to his face.

Police did not have a good description of the attacker. The Red Wings organization could not be reached for comment on the story.