DETROIT – A security officer successfully fought off and disarmed a knife-wielding man at an apartment complex on Detroit‘s east side, leading to the attacker’s arrest and multiple felony charges.
Andre Ash, a Shield Security officer stationed at Regency Towers, sustained hand injuries during the confrontation last Thursday (Oct. 23) night when the suspect, identified by police as Marcus Shamily, allegedly attacked him with a knife.
The incident began when Ash questioned Shamily about who he was visiting in the building.
“He pulls a knife out,” Ash recounted. “And I’m like, ‘It’s not gonna go the way you want with that knife.’”
During the ensuing struggle, Ash was stabbed several times in the hand before managing to disarm Shamily and subdue him until the police arrived.
“He swung at me again, and he missed, and I hit him,” Ash said. “He was dazed for a minute, and I got ready to really attack him. I slipped on the floor. The floor was wet.”
Shamily was arraigned on Oct. 25 in Detroit’s 36th District Court on charges including assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
The court set the bond at $50,000.
Shield Security’s Chief Operating Officer Evan Humes praised Ash’s response to the dangerous situation.
“We would like to commend Andre’s bravery and true courage that he displayed under pressure,” said Humes.
Ash, who has worked for Shield Security since April, has earned praise from residents for his dedication to their safety.
“He just did extra, more than what he is supposed to do on his job, and I felt safe when he was riding through here,” said resident Carla Stabler.
Reflecting on the incident, Ash described the confrontation as surreal.
“It seemed like I was having an out-of-body experience in a way,” Ash said, adding, “He could have very much killed somebody, because like I said, if I didn’t have the will and that mindset that I was in, I think he could have killed me.”
Princeton Enterprises, which operates Regency Towers, expressed support for Ash in a statement, confirming he was “seriously injured while on duty” and praising his “exceptional bravery and valor in safeguarding our residents from potential harm.”
The company stated that they are fully cooperating with the ongoing law enforcement investigation.