Suspect facing 22 criminal charges

Chad Alexander Smith

The man who engaged in a shoot-out with Romulus Police and took a 7-year-old boy hostage for several hours is now facing more than 20 criminal charges.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Chad Alexander Smith, 33, with two counts of assault with intent to murder; kidnapping; carjacking; home invasion first degree; two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm; as a felon in possession of a firearm; the killing/torturing of an animal; two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and 11 counts of felony firearm violations.
Smith does not have a home city of residence on record with authorities.
The charges stem from an incident that began with an attempted carjacking on the 9370 block of Lisa Street in Romulus last August.
According to police reports of the incident, the suspect abandoned his attempt to steal a vehicle and ran from the scene as police arrived.
Police said that the fleeing suspect jumped the backyard fence of a home at 34540 Wick Road and encountered a dog in the yard. The suspect shot the dog and then encountered the responding Romulus police officers and gunfire was exchanged during which the suspect was injured, according to police reports.
Prosecutors allege that Smith then entered the residence where he took a 7-year-old boy hostage for several hours.
Romulus police contacted Michigan State Police at about 5:23 p.m. Aug. 3 for assistance regarding an armed standoff and hostage situation at the Wick Road home. Police reported that Smith surrendered to police and ended the standoff shortly after state troopers arrived on the scene. The child was not physically injured, according to reports.
“We are very grateful that the young child was physically unharmed as a result of this incident. The fact remains, however, that Mr. Smith must face the serious criminal consequences of his alleged actions,” commented Worthy.
Smith was arraigned on the charges in 34th District Court in Romulus last Wednesday and was ordered to remain in police custody. He has been referred by the court for a competency examination and a court date will be set when the reports are completed.