Detroit freeway shootings: Driver shot on I-94, another vehicle shot on I-96

State police investigate 2 separate shootings on Detroit freeways

DETROIT – Detroit police are investigating two separate shootings on freeways early Thursday morning. 

Michigan State Police said the first shooting was about 3 a.m. on eastbound I-94 near Harper Avenue. A 44-year-old man driving a red car was shot in the leg. He went to a nearby gas station for help. He has been released from the hospital and is expected to be OK. 

There are at least two bullet holes in the victim's vehicle. State police said a shell casing was found on I-94. 

The second shooting happened between 3 and 3:30 a.m. on westbound I-96 near Davison. A vehicle was struck by a bullet, but the driver was not hit. The bullet hit one of the tires on the vehicle. 

Westbound I-96 was shutdown at Joy Road until about 6 a.m. when it reopened to traffic. 

Police investigate possible connection

Police are trying to figure out if these shootings are connected. No arrests have been announced. 

"We haven't had a freeway shooting for quite a while so to have two happen at the same ... we don't rule anything out. Everybody's a suspect until we rule you out. So that's kind of where we're at right now. It's right at the beginning stages," said Lt. Michael Shaw. 

Detectives said it would be highly rare and coincidental to have two random shootings on freeways in the same morning. However, state police tweeted later Thursday morning the incidents "appear to be unrelated."

Victim goes to gas station for help

The victim who was shot in the leg on I-94 walked into a nearby gas station. A man working at the station was stunned by the victim's calm demeanor and couldn't believe he had been shot. 

"I didn't believe it. He came in so calm and he told me, 'Can you call the cops?' I was like, 'For what?' and he said, 'I got shot.' I said, 'Can I see?' and he said, 'Yeah, sure,'" said Emad Alomari, a gas station employee. 

Stay with ClickOnDetroit for updates.


About the Authors:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ Professional.