FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WWJ) - The Farmington Hills Police Department announced they arrested five people in connection to events leading up to and after a shooting a local hookah bar that left two people injured.
WWJ's Ryan Marshall reported that officials had arrested 28-year-old Devonte Johnson and a 17-year-old juvenile both of Detroit for a shooting on Jan. 29 at Vibe Hookah Lounge in Farmington Hills off Northwestern Highway.
Authorities also arrested the hookah lounge owner and three employees after their investigation found they had committed criminal acts before and after the incident.
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Vibe owner Amar Sinawi, 49, of West Bloomfield was arrested for tampering with evidence and lying to a police officer. His three employees -- Baher Hanna, 37, Hilal Haio, 50, and Viltor Keqaj, 32 -- were taken into police custody on various charges ranging from carrying a concealed weapon to tampering with evidence.
Police also found 65 lbs of marijuana in Hanna's vehicle at the time of his arrest -- it is unknown at this time if the drugs are related to the activity surrounding the shooting.
Police were first notified by local hospital staff in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 after a gunshot victim sought medical care.
While authorities were interviewing the man, a second gunshot wound victim came to the same hospital for treatment.
Police were able to determine that both victims were at the Vibe Hookah Lounge just after 2 a.m. when they were shot. Upon their investigation, police allege that Johnson and the juvenile were inside the bar when the first victim walked in and stood at the counter. Police said the teenager handed Johnson a gun and Johnson approached the man from behind and punched him in the back of head, knocking him to the ground. The second victim tried to stop the attack, Johnson pulled out his weapon and fired at the two men, hitting one in the thigh and the other in the groin.
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Johnson handed the weapon back to the teenager as they left the lounge, according to authorities.
Police obtained a warrant and were able to search inside the business where they found employees had cleaned up the crime scene and removed evidence from the building before shutting it down for the night.
Police said they also discovered almost all of the employees and patrons were armed and believed Johnson shot the men out of revenge.
The three employees and the Vibe owner all posted bond and are due back in court Feb. 14.
Johnson was charged with multiple felonies and was denied bond. His next court date is also Feb. 14.
The juvenile suspect was ordered to be detained and transferred to Wayne County Juvenile Court.
Police said the two victims are expected to make a full recovery.
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