A Hazel Park man has been charged following a confrontation that resulted in a hatchet attack, according to local police. CBS News Detroit reports that the 51-year-old suspect allegedly attacked another man with a hatchet, causing serious injuries. He faces charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at a residence on East Nine Mile Road in Hazel Park. According to FOX 2 Detroit, a 31-year-old Royal Oak man and two friends visited the home to pick up another acquaintance. During the visit, the suspect reportedly confronted the visitor over a previous disagreement involving a family member. The verbal dispute escalated when the suspect retrieved a hatchet from the dining room wall and swung it at the victim, who raised his hand to defend himself, sustaining a serious hand injury. The victim and a friend then fled the house, with the suspect chasing them and striking the victim in the face with the hammer end of the hatchet.
After the attack, police were alerted by the hospital where the victim received emergency treatment for injuries to his hand and mouth. The Hazel Park Police Department then executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence, arresting the man and recovering the hatchet believed to have been used in the attack, along with blood evidence from the scene. The Oakland County Prosecutor reviewed the evidence and issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest on the charges, as per Oakland County Times.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is expected to be arraigned on the charges at the 43rd District Court. Authorities continue to handle the case as investigations proceed.
