DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit man is facing assault and other felony charges after it's alleged he intentionally drove a pickup truck into a community center on the city's east side.
Benjamin Noah Weinstein, 42, was arraigned in 36th District Court on Monday in connection with the incident last Saturday, in the 4400 block of Connor Street.
At around 12:45 p.m. on August 19, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Weinstein was speeding when he crashed his vehicle into two fences, one at the home of a 63-year-old Detroit man, and the other at a home of a 53-year-old Detroit woman.
After that, officials alleged, Weinstein positioned his truck in main entrance of the Stoudamire Wellness Hub at the Eastside Community Network building, and drove the vehicle right into the building.
The building was open with people inside at the time of the crash, but no one in the building was hurt.
Officials said the driver had a gun in his vehicle.
Weinstein was taken from the scene to a hospital, and later charged with one count of Felonious Assault, one count of Malicious Destruction of Property – $1,000 or More, but Less Than $20,000, one count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and two counts of Felony Firearm.
Weinstein's bond was set $10,000 cash/surety with a GPS tether if he is released. A bond redetermination hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, to be followed by a probable cause conference set for Sept. 1.
It's unclear why Weinstein my have targeted this particular building.
In a statement released after the crash, officials with the Eastside Community Network, a nonprofit organization which primarily serves Black Detroit residents, said they believed this could have been a racially motivated attack.
"While we are unsure of the motive behind this incident, we believe it was a terroristic hate crime with the intent of indiscriminate killing," the organization said, adding that the FBI's domestic terrorism unit was looking into the case. It's unclear at this time if Weinstein could face additional charges.
In an update posted to Facebook on Monday, the center stated that the incident that, while troubling, the incident t would not alter ECN’s "goal of being a positive agent of change and transformation" on Detroit's east side.
However, ECN said armed security guards will remain at The Stoudamire while the center works to add additional security measures.
A fund has been establish to make repairs to the front of the building, and to pay for security upgrades. Those who wish to make a donation may do so at this link.
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