Romulus teen charged in shooting at Detroit fireworks
According to police reports, Alphonso Cooper, Jr. was arrested and charged with multiple weapons and assault charges on July 7 following a two-week police search. He was located by officers at a home in Washtenaw County, according to police reports. Cooper is accused of firing a weapon multiple times during the crowded annual fireworks display, injuring a 17-year-old Van Buren Township resident and a 22-year-old woman from Ferndale. Police said the shootings apparently followed a dispute about a $200 debt.
Detroit police officers in the area of Randolph Street and Cadillac Square reported hearing gunshots at about 10:04 p.m. June 23. The perpetrator fled the scene before officers and medics arrived, according to police reports. The male victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his legs, and the woman was injured in her hand. Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and are expected to survive. Prosecutors allege that Cooper and the male victim were engaged in a physical altercation when the defendant pulled a handgun and fired repeatedly, disregarding the crowd.
Police and witnesses said the injured woman was a bystander and had no involvement in the alleged dispute that led to the shooting.
A second man was initially sought by police for allegedly helping Cooper flee the scene. Police said that everyone believed to be involved in the incident is now in custody, and there are no other suspects or persons of interest.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Cooper with two counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, and four counts of felony firearm violations.
“These shootings allegedly occurred because the defendant could not handle a disagreement and introduced a deadly weapon into the mix. This defendant did not care that there were hundreds of potential victims in the area. Bullets have no eyes, and it is extremely fortuitous that more fireworks attendees were not injured,” Worthy said in a statement.
Cooper pleaded not guilty during his arraignment July 10 in 36th District Court before Magistrate William Burton. He was given a $500,000 cash bond with a GPS tether and house arrest.
Detroit police credited the department Fugitive Apprehension Services Team and the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative for the arrest.
