Investigators say the victim was assaulted, then run over repeatedly outside a gas station.
DETROIT — A man believed to be in his 60s was killed Tuesday morning in what Detroit police called a vicious, apparently random carjacking at a west-side gas station, and a 25-year-old suspect was taken into custody after fleeing officers in the victim’s stolen Jeep.
The attack unfolded in minutes outside a Sunoco near Joy Road and Greenfield Road and ended after a short chase that drew in Detroit police, Michigan State Police troopers and Dearborn officers, officials said. Investigators were still building a full timeline Tuesday, and charges had not yet been announced as detectives reviewed surveillance video and interviewed witnesses.
Police said the first emergency call came in just after 4:30 a.m. Tue., Feb. 10. The victim drove to the gas station, parked his Jeep and walked into the convenience store, investigators said. When he returned, a man was inside the vehicle. Detroit police said the victim confronted the person in the Jeep, and the suspect got out and began attacking him. Capt. Marcus Thirlkill, who heads the department’s homicide division, described the assault as “vicious” and said the victim suffered severe injuries.
After the beating, police said, the suspect climbed back into the Jeep and drove over the victim numerous times. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Thirlkill said. “After the attack, the victim was severely injured,” Thirlkill said. “The suspect then re-entered the victim’s vehicle and drove over the victim numerous times.” Investigators said they do not yet know what triggered the violence and have not identified a motive.
Authorities said the suspect fled in the stolen Jeep, prompting a search that quickly turned into a pursuit. Michigan State Police said troopers attempted to stop the vehicle after locating it on Greenfield Road, but the driver sped away. During the chase, officials said, the suspect struck a Dearborn police vehicle. Moments later, the driver lost control and crashed into a telephone pole, ending the pursuit. Police said the suspect was arrested and transferred to Detroit officers for the homicide investigation.
State police First Lt. Mike Shaw said troopers and Dearborn officers worked together to take the suspect into custody and that no one was injured during the pursuit. Detroit police said the chase ended near Greenfield Road and Warren Avenue, about a mile from the Sunoco station where the attack began. Officials said they plan to seek separate charges tied to fleeing, the crash damage and the struck patrol vehicle, in addition to any homicide-related counts.
Police did not release the names of the victim or suspect Tuesday, saying the investigation was in its early stages and detectives were still notifying relatives and confirming identification information. Officers at the scene collected evidence and canvassed the area for witnesses and cameras. Investigators said they were also working to establish whether the suspect entered the Jeep while the victim was inside the store, and whether any confrontation happened inside the station before the violence spilled into the lot.
People who live near the gas station said they woke up to flashing lights and the sound of sirens at an hour when the neighborhood is usually quiet. A resident who identified herself as Winter said she lives next door to the station and was shaken by what she saw. “This is nerve-wracking because I stay like right next door, so seeing this in real life was very traumatizing,” she said.
Regular customers said the Sunoco is a common stop for workers getting off overnight shifts and drivers cutting across the west side before sunrise. Detroit resident Michael said he often stops there after work and believed it was a safe place. “It’s a tragedy,” he said. “I hate it for the family.” Others said the victim was familiar in the area and had been seen at the station many times, though they did not know him personally.
Police said they believe the victim was randomly targeted, but they are still testing that early conclusion against evidence and witness statements. Thirlkill said detectives are reviewing the suspect’s movements before and after the attack to determine whether the suspect was involved in any other crimes that morning. Officers also said they are reviewing how the pursuit started and how quickly the stolen Jeep was spotted after the initial 911 call.
The case now shifts to prosecutors, who will decide which charges to seek and when to schedule an arraignment. Detroit police said they have been in contact with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office about possible charges. Investigators said they expect to release more information once charging documents are filed and court proceedings begin, including the victim’s identity and more details about the suspect’s background.
For now, police said the suspect remains in custody while detectives complete interviews, finalize reports and gather video and forensic results. Officials said the next major milestone will be the charging decision and arraignment, which had not been set publicly by Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated February 11, 2026.