An inmate scheduled to be sentenced Monday morning stabbed a Wayne County deputy in the courtroom and took at least part of his uniform at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in downtown Detroit. He has been identified as Abraham Pearson, also known as Derrick White, 25.
The deputy has been taken to the Detroit Receiving Hospital; the injury is not life-threatening. The Frank Murphy Building was on lock down, but has now been opened. A long line of people who had business at the court today wrapped around the Frank Murphy Building. Surrounding schools were also locked down.
Pearson suffers from hallucinations, reported WWJ News. He is described as African American, 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 155 pounds; he has dreadlocks. He was in custody for robbery charges related to a carjacking. He has a criminal history, including assault charges and breaking and entering, Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters at a press conference Monday morning aired by WWJ News.
White hijacked a van after stabbing the deputy in the neck with a sharpened plastic comb. The van has now been recovered at Concord and Lafayette Streets. Craig believes Pearson is in the area where the van was found and is dangerous.
The FBI, immigration, and other agencies are involved in the investigation the police chief told reporters.
Pearson is believed to be wearing a white shirt, no longer wearing the uniform shirt he stole, but possibly still wearing the khaki uniform pants.
He was being handcuffed when he overpowered the deputy. Pearson had to go down seven floors before fleeing the building, reports CBS Detroit.
“We want to get this dangerous individual off the streets,” Craig said. “We have a number of leads we’re working in the area.”
He urged people not to open their doors to strangers and to “be our eyes and ears.” Police have been knocking on doors in the area. Pearson may also have a cell phone, as the phone that was in the vehicle he hijacked is missing.
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