(WWJ) — Charges will not be filed against a woman who shot another woman and her daughter after an apparent road rage incident escalated to violence last month in Sterling Heights.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges related to the Feb. 27 shooting near a Carrabba’s Italian Grill, citing self defense.
The incident happened around 5 p.m. that evening. Sterling Heights police officials previously said it began as a road rage incident between a woman and her daughter in a Jeep Compass and another woman in a Dodge Durango.
Authorities said at the time the two drivers “went back and forth aggressively” on the road before the woman in the Durango pulled into the Carrabba’s parking lot, located on Schoenherr Road, south of Hall Road in Sterling Heights.
The prosecutor’s office says the other woman followed her into the parking lot and stopped right behind her at a stop sign. The mother and daughter then got out of the Jeep and went to the driver’s side of the Durango, where she was sitting.
The mom and daughter then began to beat her up, according to the prosecutor’s office.
A bystander tried to intervene and help the driver of the Durango. Authorities say the driver, “in fear for her life,” pulled out her handgun and fired one shot, hitting the woman and her daughter.
Officials say the driver of the Durango had a valid concealed pistol license.
A witness who called 911 told police “those two girls tried to attack the shooter…those two girls were beating up on her,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The women who were shot were taken to the hospital and are recovering from from non-life threatening injuries, according to the sheriff's office.
Last week, the Sterling Heights Police Department submitted a warrant request to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Warrant Unit for possible charges against the shooter. The sheriff’s office denied the request on Tuesday.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office asked for an investigation about potential charges against the two women who were the aggressors in this incident. After further investigation, witness interviews, and discussion with the shooter, it was determined no charges would be filed against them.
“Denying charges on the ground of self defense is a recognition of the inherent right to protect oneself when faced with imminent danger,” Prosecutor Pete Lucido said, per a press release.
Authorities have not released the names or ages of anyone involved. No further details surrounding the initial road rage incident have been released.
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