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WCPO Denies Inkster Homicide Warrant

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has denied a warrant request in connection with the homicide of Ali Salman, also known as Ali Al Tameemi, 34, of Dearborn, because the 25-year-old suspect acted in lawful self-defense.

On Saturday, January 19, 2019 at approximately 3:18 p.m., the Michigan State Police were called to investigate the homicide of Mr. Salman that occurred near a gas station located in the 28470 block of Michigan Avenue in Inkster. Mr. Salman died from a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses at the scene were interviewed, and surveillance video was reviewed, in connection with the shooting. The initial dispute between the men occurred over a parking space.

The investigation of this case revealed that the 25-year-old man was the initial aggressor because he punched Mr. Salman in the upper body but did not cause him to fall to the ground. However, the man retreated and did not have a weapon drawn. Mr. Salman had his gun drawn, when he chased and pointed his weapon at the 25-year-old and confronted him. It was only after the gun was pointed at him that the younger man pulled out his weapon and fired shots at Mr. Salman. This is confirmed by video evidence.* The 25-year-old man remained on the scene until the police arrived and surrendered his hand gun.

Although the 25-year-old threw the first punch, he retreated and did not draw a weapon. Mr. Salman chased the 25-year-old man with his weapon drawn and pointed at the man. The Michigan law of self-defense is applicable in this case. The 25-year-old had the right to use deadly force to defend himself because he had a reasonable belief that imminent death or great bodily harm would occur. For this reason the warrant has been denied.

*Note: Some media reports have said that the victim lost control of his gun that fell to the ground and his attacker picked it up. This information is erroneous and is not based upon the facts and evidence in the case.

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