YPSILANTI, Mich. – A 38-year-old man was slashed by a panhandler in Ypsilanti on Sunday, city police said.
It happened in the area of Ballard and Emmett streets. Police said the panhandler asked the victim for cash, and when the victim said he didn't have any, the man cut him in the face and took off.
Troy Sorby, a student who lives in the neighborhood, had just gotten home from work when the attack happened.
"I was shocked. All I saw was an ambulance, like six state police vehicles, three Ypsilanti police cars and we didn't know what was going on at that point still," Sorby said.
He said some of his roommates went outside and saw the man lying in blood. An official from Huron Valley Ambulance told Local 4 that the victim was in critical condition at last check.
Sorby said he is not surprised it happened in that neighborhood.
"I don't feel scared to live here but it's a shadier area," he said.
Police used a K-9 unit and set up a perimeter to track down the assailant but were not able to find him. The only description right now is that he is black, has a skinnier build and was wearing a University of Michigan sweatshirt at the time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Yspilanti Police Department.
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