Witnesses sought in firebombing attempt

6/29/2002

DETROIT BEACH, Mich. - Monroe County sheriff's detectives are seeking witnesses to an incident early Wednesday morning in which they believe more than one suspect attempted to kill a 21-year-old Frenchtown Township man and his family by throwing a homemade incendiary device through a window.

The man, who lives in the 3200 block of Monrona Drive in the Detroit Beach area, and his 17-year-old girlfriend were awakened about 5:10 a.m. Wednesday by a strong odor of gasoline in their bedroom. When he went out into the living room to investigate the source of the odor, he discovered that a large iced-tea jug with a wick device had been hurled through the window, dousing the contents of the room with gasoline, sheriff's Detective Dave Davison said.

The device had not ignited, and the man was able to evacuate the rest of his family to safety and call for help. When deputies arrived, they also found that the man's window air conditioner in his bedroom had been doused with gasoline.

Detective Davison said one neighbor heard several people outside the home about 5 a.m.

Those with information about the incident or who might have seen anyone outside the home at that hour are asked to contact the Monroe County Crimestopper Program at 734-240-7350 or Detective Davison at 734-240-7533.