TSA employee charged in vehicle shooting

    An Ohio man is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the non-fatal shooting at a Romulus man.

    Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Alec Nicholas Thieman 28, of Delta, Ohio, an employee of the Transportation Security Administration, in the incident which took place at about 6:40 a.m. on the I-275 Freeway near Pennsylvania Road in Huron Township. Thieman is accused of shooting at a vehicle being driven by a 46-year-old Romulus resident. It is alleged that the defendant produced and fired a handgun, striking the Romulus man’s car. The victim did not sustain gunshot wound in the shooting, according to a statement from Worthy’s office.
    Thieman has been charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, reckless driving, commission of a felony with a motor vehicle, and three counts of felony firearm.
    Thieman’s attorney, Jim Makowski told news media that Thieman was acting in self-defense when he used his weapon. Makowski said the Romulus man was attempting to drive into Thieman’s vehicle and attempting to run him off the road.
    “He was in genuine fear for his life and he did what he had to do to try to save his life,” Makowski was quoted by news sources. “On that stretch of road, he was boxed in and this guy is ramming into the side of his car. It was either go into the very deep ditch at 70 mph-plus or try to get this guy to back off.”
    Makowski claimed Thieman called police regarding the incident and said the Romulus driver pursued Thieman to the police station.
    Thieman’s attorney told reporters the Michigan State Police failed to thoroughly investigate the incident before taking the case to prosecutors.
    The defendant was arraigned in 34th District Court and given a $250,000 cash bond. A Probable Cause Conference on the charges was set for yesterday before Judge Lisa Martin.