DETROIT, Mich. (WWJ) - The Detroit Police Department announced on Friday they have taken into custody a suspect accused of running over and killing one woman after she shoved a child out of harm's way on the city's east side.
Authorities said the suspect, Shedrica Odessa Smith was arrested by police Friday afternoon: she has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and assault with intent to murder.
The fatal incident happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 20 in the 15000 block of Manning in Detroit.
The victim, Tiffany Watson, was run over by a silver or grey Nissan Murano that police accuse Smith of driving up over a curb and on the lawn of a residence on Manning Street after a dispute between two groups broke out.
Officers called the hit-and-run intentional.
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"It appears that the victim was a bystander, but she was clearly in the path of the vehicle," Chief James White said to reporters on Monday. "There was no attempt by the person of interest to avoid her. There was no attempt; it was direct."
Video of the incident shows the SUV circling a traffic sign, almost clipping Watson while doing so. The vehicle is then seen going through the yard and heading off down the road before turning around and speeding back and hitting the victim.
The suspect took off after fatally striking Watson, who police said was trying to save a child.
"It does appear that [Watson] pushed a child out of the way," Chief James White said. "...It's just a horrific scene. I mean, the whole scene was just awful, and should not have happened."
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"When you look at this heinous act and how it happened and her lack of regard for human life...we feel that (the driver) is very dangerous," White said.
Detectives did release surveillance image of a "person of interest" to the public and asked for tips; the woman in the image did turn herself in on Tuesday before being questioned and released.
No other information was made available by authorities.
Stayed tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest information.
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