Assailant Shot By 91-Year-Old Would-Be Victim Charged In Attack

MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - Authorities say a 30-year-old man who was shot while attempting to rob a gun-toting 91-year-old has been charged with felonious assault.

Richard George Ashford, of Eastpointe, was charged Tuesday with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony, and was ordered held on a $50,000 cash bond.

According to police, Ashford walked directly at the 91-year-old Detroit man "in a threatening manner" as the man was exiting his car in the Rite Aid parking lot at 9 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue around 10:15 a.m. Monday. Police say the elderly man, frightened by Ashford's approach, announced that he was a CPL holder and retreated back into his car.

The man waited in his car until the suspect walked out of view, then attempted to walk into the Rite-Aid but as he neared the front doors, police say Ashford approached him again -- this time holding an unknown object above his head.

The 91-year-old shouted again that he was armed and told the suspect to back off, according to police, but the suspect kept coming at him. At that point, police say the elderly man then pulled his .38 revolver and fired at Ashford from a distance of approximately 10 feet. When Ashford continued to approach, the elderly man fired again, wounding Ashford  in the neck, according to police.

The 91-year-old then flagged down a passing vehicle and asked to be taken to the police station. Two independent witnesses from an office building next to the Rite Aid confirmed the elderly man's account, police said.

"This elderly man's self-defense is an entirely appropriate use of force," Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said in a statement. "Facing imminent assault, he announced that he was armed, made attempts to withdraw, warned again that he held a weapon, and fired only when completely necessary."

The elderly man was not injured, and will not face any charges.

"This is a textbook case for why concealed pistol licenses are issued in the first place," Smith continued. "American citizens have the right to protect themselves in the face of clear assault."

Ashford, who remains in custody, is due back in court on August 31.