(WWJ) A Dearborn man has been arraigned on 15 felony counts, accused in a mass stabbing at a hookah lounge over the weekend.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says 34-year-old Taha Shitawi allegedly stabbed a total of eight people outside the Taiga Hookah Lounge in Detroit on Sunday.
Investigators said Shitawi pulled a knife and attacked the group after an early morning argument inside the establishment, on Greenfield Rd. near W. Warren Ave., spilled out into the parking lot.
The five victims that resulted in the charges — identified as a 32-year-old Dearborn man, two 31-year-old Dearborn men, a 25-year-old Dearborn man, and a 29-year-old Shelby Township woman — were taken by EMS to a local hospital for treatment. At least three of them were seriously injured, police said.
Shitawi fled the scene, but was later arrested following an investigation by Detroit Police.
He arraigned in 36th District Court Wednesday on five counts each of Assault with Intent to Murder; Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm and Felonious Assault, and ordered held on a $350,000/10% bond.
"The allegations in this case illustrate disturbing violence. I am asking people to think before you react, violence is never the answer," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "Whether it is with a gun or a knife these crimes have life changing and devastating consequences for victims, their families, our entire community and the perpetrator."
Authorities have not said whether Shitawi was previously acquainted with his alleged victims, or what they were arguing about.
A Probable Cause Conference in the case is scheduled for April 5, followed by a Preliminary Examination before Judge Kenyetta Stanford Jones on April 12.
