A confrontation during a last-minute Halloween shopping trip turned deadly Friday when an argument between two customers escalated into gunfire.
A 21-year-old Detroit man was shot several times inside a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights, near Detroit, at about 2:04 p.m. on October 30. He later died from his injuries.
Spirit Halloween is a familiar part of the U.S. Halloween season, operating temporary stores each fall in vacant retail locations across the country.
The victim had been involved in a dispute with another 21-year-old man from Oak Park, whom he reportedly knew before the shooting, according to the Madison Heights Police Department.
Officers arriving at the scene found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. They provided first aid while waiting for emergency medical crews to arrive.
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police said they identified a “person of interest” and recovered a 9mm handgun that may have been used in the shooting.
The person of interest, a 21-year-old Oak Park man, was also injured after several bystanders assaulted him. Officers later took him into custody.
The alleged shooter was transported to another local hospital, where he remains under medical care.
A deadly shooting erupted at a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights, Michigan, when a 21-year-old man was shot multiple times at about 2:04 p.m. on October 30
The Detroit victim was arguing with another 21-year-old man from Oak Park whom he knew before the shooting, according to the Madison Heights Police Department. Source: Facebook/@Madison Heights Police Department
Officers responding to the 32000 block of John R Road, pictured, found the 21-year-old victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and administered first aid until paramedics arrived
“While the investigation remains ongoing and detectives continue to gather additional details, it appears the two individuals were acquainted,” the Madison Heights Police Department wrote Friday. “Based on the information available at this time, investigators do not believe this was a random act of violence, and residents can be assured that there is no known ongoing threat to public safety.”
Investigators have submitted their findings to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office as they work to determine potential criminal charges.
READ MORE: Christine Lee Autopsy & Death Photo: How Did She Die? Crime Scene Pictures Revealed – NewsFinale
According to WDIV, Alana, the suspect’s wife, said her husband holds a Concealed Pistol License and fired in self-defense.
Alana told the outlet that she was leaving the Spirit Halloween store with the couple’s three children when a man known to her husband confronted them. She said the man reached toward his pockets, though the family did not know whether he had a gun.
“He sees us and recognizes us and tells my husband, ‘What’s up?’ And my husband’s like, ‘No, not right here,’ as he’s still walking out. He’s like, ‘No … what’s up?’ And went in his pocket, and my husband drew his gun and was shaking while he was trying his gun, and he shot,” Alana told WDIV.
“If he didn’t have that gun, and we walked out here and all those people would’ve jumped on him, would I be at the hospital right now praying over my husband? He defended me, himself, and his kids,” Alana said.
Mikea Wilson, who witnessed the shooting, described the confrontation to WDIV.
“It was the first pop; you would think it was like a loud balloon. We got to looking at each other, and then it was like pop, pop, pop; probably about five more shots came after that. So everybody scattered after that,” Wilson told the outlet.
At the time of the incident, Madison Heights Police requested residents avoid the area and follow all instructions from law enforcement. Source: Facebook/@Madison Heights Police Department
‘I thought it was going to be like a Halloween massacre. I don’t know what’s going on. I thought somebody was running around shooting random people, honestly,’ another witness told the outlet.
At the time of the incident, Madison Heights Police requested residents avoid the area and follow all instructions from law enforcement.
They confirmed there was no immediate danger to the public.
‘We want people to use the gun safety that they’ve been taught as much as possible. We’re still determining if this person was legally allowed to carry the gun, whether they had any firearms training,’ Police Chief Lemerise told CBS Detroit.
‘In situations like this, we want to make sure that people are using the most precaution they can.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Madison Heights Police Department and Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for comments or additional details as the investigation remains ongoing.