DETROIT – Detroit police have released new information in the case of a Wayne County sheriff’s deputy who was shot at, but not hit, and are asking for the public’s help locating a woman connected to both that incident and a brutal 2022 attempted murder.
The shooting occurred Tuesday (July 14) afternoon near the Harper Woods-Detroit-Grosse Pointe area.
Investigators said Rajena LaMartique Linson, 25, was in the vehicle with the person who fired at the deputy.
Linson is also wanted on a charge of assault with intent to murder stemming from a January 2022 attack in which a woman was beaten, run over with a vehicle, and left to die in freezing temperatures.
Commander Rebecca McKay, who oversees the Detroit Police Department’s Major Crimes unit, publicly identified Linson as a fugitive Thursday.
Linson linked to 2022 attack on Eastpointe bar victim
According to investigators, the attack occurred Jan. 31, 2022, after Linson allegedly lured the victim to a bar in Eastpointe.
The victim drove Linson to the bar, where they met an accomplice, police said.
After leaving the bar together, the group drove to a parking lot at a middle school in the 15000 block of Maddelein Street on Detroit’s east side.
Victim beaten, run over in freezing temperatures
Investigators said the victim got out of the vehicle after saying she needed to use the bathroom.
At that point, police allege Linson and the accomplice attacked her, beating her before running her over with the vehicle.
Police said the suspects then backed the vehicle over the victim, paused for several seconds and drove away, leaving her severely injured in freezing temperatures.
About an hour later, surveillance video captured the vehicle returning to the scene, apparently to check whether the victim was still alive, McKay said.
The woman was not discovered until about six hours later.
Temperatures that day were around 9 degrees, McKay said.
“By the grace of God, our victim survived,” McKay said. “We are desperately seeking assistance to find Rayjana Linson to bring her to justice for the brutal attack.”
Accomplice in custody; victim still recovering
Police said the alleged accomplice has been arrested and is being held in the Wayne County Jail awaiting trial.
McKay said the victim survived but continues to recover from the physical and emotional trauma.
“This could have ended in a death,” McKay said. “Our victim was a beautiful young lady who had a bright future, and now she is trying to rehabilitate herself to a place where she can function normally.”
Officers came under fire during attempted apprehension
Authorities said Linson was the person officers were attempting to apprehend earlier this week when members of the department’s Fugitive Apprehension Service Team came under gunfire.
McKay said someone inside the vehicle Linson was riding in fired at officers during the attempted arrest.
Because of that incident, police believe Linson may be dangerous and could be associating with armed individuals.
Investigators believe Linson primarily frequents Detroit’s east side but said she may also have ties to Eastpointe.
Police urge public, family to come forward
Police are urging anyone with information about Linson’s whereabouts to contact the Detroit Police Department’s Homicide Section, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, or local police.
McKay also appealed directly to Linson’s family.
“We suggest that you tell us where she is,” McKay said. “We would like to resolve this without bringing any harm to anyone. We want to bring her into custody peacefully, and if they can convince her to come in, we will welcome her peacefully.”
Watch the full presser below