DETROIT (WWJ) - An overnight shooting outside a bar on Detroit's west side injured nearly half a dozen people after investigators say a parking spot dispute descended into violence early Friday morning.
Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald of the Detroit Police Department briefed reporters outside the Chicago Blu'z Bar and Grill at 8203 W. Chicago, near Oakman Blvd., where argument ended in gunfire around 2:45 a.m. on March 29.
Based on their preliminary investigation, a disagreement broke out in the parking lot over a parking space before it turned physical. Fitzgerald said that's when one of individuals left the scene and came back with a gun.
"As most cowards do, he opened fired on the crowd," Fitzgerald said.
Five people were hit by gunfire, with at least one believed to have been involved in the initial fight. The other victims appear to have been bystanders, but police are working on confirming that information.
The injured, whose ages range from 33 to 49-years-old, are all in stable condition at two local hospitals and are expected to survive.
"Senseless, it's just ridiculous," Fitzgerald told reporters, adding that seven to eight casings were found in the parking lot. "Five people shot over a parking spot, that's just silly to me."
The suspect fled the scene immediately after the shooting and remains at large. Surveillance video released by police shows a man running from the parking lot before getting into a dark-colored SUV and taking off.
Fitzgerald said detectives believe the suspect vehicle is a Hyundai.
"Again, these folks that think they have these guns, that they're tough -- they're not. They're cowards," the assistant chief said. "Hopefully he will go to the nearest precinct and turn himself in because we're going to find him."
The community is going to know who this person is," Fitzgerald continued. "We will get tips quickly this morning and we will do our best to get him in custody as soon as possible."
The club owner is also under investigation for being open past 2 a.m. Fitzgerald said the business did not a permit for extended hours and the establishment should've been closed.
Police said they haven't had any prior issues with the club.
Fitzgerald said there were a number of other people in parking lot that thankfully didn't get hit when the suspect open fired.
"The citizens deserve much much better, this is an amazing community," he added.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.