FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – A man has been charged in the Oakland County locker room attack that was stopped by a former Michigan football star.
Malik Ali Smith, 20, of Farmington Hills, is accused of getting into a fight with an 80-year-old man around 10:45 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, in the locker room of the Farmington Family YMCA.
Prosecutors said Smith and the 80-year-old exchanged words in the locker room and then got into a physical fight.
Former University of Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards was also at the YMCA, and he said he heard the fight and went to see what was going on.
“I walk into the locker room after work, and basically, I hear -- about four rows behind me -- arguing about music and how it was being played too loud,” Edwards said. “So, I’m not paying attention, and I was just minding my business.
“The noise escalates, and then you can hear some pushing and shoving, so you know what fighting sounds like, but once I hear a thud, that’s when I got up and turned around.
“I see the guy ... (he) grabs the back of the victim’s head by the hair, and he was about to slam it down on the counter.”
Edwards pulled Smith away from the 80-year-old.
“This was a vicious, senseless attack,” McDonald said. “I commend the witness who intervened, and we will seek justice for this victim.”
Smith fled the YMCA but was arrested a short time later. He was arraigned Saturday at 47th District Court on a charge of assault with intent to murder. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The 80-year-old man remains in critical condition at the hospital, officials said.
“I didn’t know it was that serious,” Edwards said. “I mean, the victim probably had a serious concussion by nature, but it wasn’t until I talked to the detective down in Farmington who told me that if I didn’t step in -- but at the end of the day, that’s what you do.”
Smith was given a $250,000 bond, cash/surety, no 10%. He is being held at the Oakland County Jail.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 13.