Masked Gunmen Ambush, Kill Teen In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police say two masked gunmen approached a gas station and ambushed a teenager who was later found shot to death just blocks away.
WWJ's Vickie Thomas reports the shooting took place around 3:30 a.m. Friday at the Mobil gas station at the corner of 7 Mile and Greenfield on the city's northwest side.
Police say the victim, a 19-year-old male, just finished filling up his gas tank when he was ambushed by two gunmen wearing bandanas over their faces.
Amed Almafi, the gas station clerk on duty, watched in disbelief as the teen was attacked.
"That kid was sitting in his car, and I see two guys with shirts on their faces, and they ran up to him. As soon as he saw the two guys run up to him, the guy kind of took off and they just started shooting at him," said Almafi.
At least five shots were fired. Shell casings and shattered glass lined the ground, indicating that one of the vehicle's window had been shot out.
The teen was able to drive away, but was found about four blocks to the west, on 7 Mile near Forrer, and declared dead at the scene. His car slammed into a light pole so hard that it snapped the wooden pole completely off at the base.
"I saw him driving pretty good, so I thought they didn't shoot him and I was kind of happy. But when I saw the ambulance and everything, I was like damn," said Almafi.
LaRonda Brown, who said she was victim's girlfriend, identified the teen as Nicholas Whaley. Brown said she got a text message from her boyfriend around 2 a.m., and then the shocking news hours later.
"His mother called me around seven this morning and asked me when was the last time I talked to him. And I said it was around 11:12 and he told me he was at McDonalds. And she's like 'He got shot at the gas station last night, he's at the morgue, he's dead,'" said Brown. "I didn't think it was real, like, it doesn't really feel real. I just broke down and cried."
Homicide Investigator Charles Weaver said they believe the victim was targeted. He said they are looking for two men in their 20s. Police have not yet confirmed the victim's identity.
Despite there being other customers at the gas station, including two children, no one else was injured.
"It was kind of obvious they were going after him because there was actually an older guy standing right outside the door, I lock the door at night, and there was another lady right at the other side of the pump, pumping gas," said Almafi.
Police have not yet established a motive for the shooting. An investigation is ongoing.
Stay with CBSDetroit.com and WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest.
