Ferndale Police Seeking Info on 7-Eleven Shooting
Police are still looking for the two men who attempted to rob the store at 1040 W. Nine Mile Road and then used a semi-automatic weapon to fire shots at two bystanders.
Photos
Police are still looking for the two men involved in a shooting outside a Ferndale 7-Eleven store early Sunday.
Ferndale Police Lt. William Wilson said Thursday that there are no updates on the case and police continue to investigate.
Around 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, police said two men wearing masks approached the store at 1040 W. Nine Mile Road intending to rob it but found the doors locked. One was carrying a semi-automatic rifle.
Police said the clerk feared the men were going to rob the store and immediately called 911. The men disappeared from the clerk's sight and went around the corner of the building.
Two regular customers of the store then approached and also found the doors locked and left in the same direction, where they encountered the suspects. The clerk then heard gunshots and notified police.
Police said the two customers, 24 and 27 years old, were confronted by the suspects and one of the suspects grabbed one of the men. The customer broke loose and both victims ran while one of the suspects fired 8-10 shots at them with a semi-automatic rifle. Neither victim was struck by the gunfire.
The suspects then ran away northbound. "Officers arrived quickly, but were not able to find the suspects," Wilson wrote in a news release.
Though the store is usually open 24 hours, the store was locked at the time of the incident because of the storms that had knocked out power to the area and caused the store to close down. The power had just been restored and employees were preparing to open, police said.
Store targeted in the past
The same 7-Eleven store has been targeted in the past, including a July 2011 armed robbery at the store.
Wilson said this specific store has likely been targeted because of its location and "easy access south to Eight Mile and into Detroit."
He said patrols continue to be heavy in that area.
Anybody with information about the crime should contact the Ferndale Police Department 248-541-3650 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Crimestoppers offers a $1,000 reward for information.
Kristi Kauffman
9:17 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
It is time that 7-eleven gets bullet proof glass and a security guard. It has been robbed at least 12 times in the last few years. This is the closest to murder yet, but it's going to happen. I arrived for milk one night and couldn't get in b/c a robbery had just taken place. I feel bad for the poor folks working there...their lives are on the line.
Don
12:34 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Might be a good idea for 7-11 to put up some additional lighting up around building and HD Security Cameras outside and inside.
A Security guard isn't going to help one bit. What are they going to do, when faced with an armed robber, hit them over the head with a club. Armed guards cost a lot of money, most ot these store owners can't afford this either.
I feel for all of those who work there. They have some wonderful employees, I just hope none of them get hurt by these jerks, or any one else for that matter.
This is what we have to face as a result of cuts in the Ferndale Police Department, of which, all should of been spared. We need Police and Fire personnel. Living this close to Detroit is no joke any more.
Ferndale_1986
2:19 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
this city is more interested in social engineering than police and fire.
Carey Gustafson
10:32 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Is a security guard unarmed? I don't understand the logic that a security guard would do nothing. There isn't one, and it's plagued with problems. Maybe give it a try, like CVS does?
Store owners need to take some ownership over the ongoing problems. You can't expect a police officer to be outside their door every minute and yes, it's a miracle no one has been killed yet.
Nic Steele
10:26 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I grew up with my parents owning a convenience store, and worked there eventually too. All of the employees knew where the gun was in case of an emergency.
tina welcher
1:23 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Too bad that the store employees aren't allowed to carry weapons themselves. Then when one of these ''thugs'' come up here they would be met with the surprise of their lives. So sick of my beautiful hometown being poisoned with the invasion of hooligans that seem to roam the area now.
Kendra
1:02 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I agree with Kristi. As a frequent customer of this 7-11, I really fear for their employees. They are honestly risking their lives to go to work everyday. That's not right. Ferndale is such an amazing community and great place to live. It saddens me to see it plagued with crime. We should be able to go to our local convenience store any time of the day or night and not worry about being shot at. Is there anything that we can do as a community to fight back? I am really fed up. I say give the security guard a try too. If nothing else, maybe it would give the employees a little peace of mind knowing that someone else was watching the door for them.