Dearborn Heights road rage shooting results in no felony, no jail time

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) - Chris Eastham and a friend were shot at near the intersection of W. Warren and Ann Arbor Trail in Dearborn Heights one year ago. The armed driver was a woman and, fortunately, she missed. 

"She pulled right out in front of Mark and he slammed on the brakes. They did a little back and forth thing and she pulled a gun," Eastham said. "He thought she flipped him off because he was watching the road. I (said) no that's a gun."

Chris says he got of the truck, they began arguing and the other driver, Bridgett Edwards, fired her gun. She was later caught by Dearborn Heights Police with two guns in her car and a spent shell casing in her back seat. Officers also pulled surveillance video from the gas station. 

Initially, the Wayne County Prosecutor charged Edwards with 10 felonies, including felony firearm to discharge from a vehicle to felony assault. On Monday that all changed.

"She got off on one misdemeanor," Eastham said. "So she can still have a gun and she can still shoot at people. I am just dumbfounded."

The trial was supposed to start Monday. Instead of a plea deal, though, the case was pled down from 10 felonies to just one misdemeanor.

"It is very dangerous," Eastham said. "There's not even one felony on her record and she can still own a gun. She is a danger to society." 

FOX 2 reached out to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to find out why. A spokesperson said, "The case was reviewed and based on the evidence - it was determined the charges would be reduced."

Maria Miller from the prosecutor's office added that the victims in the case should have been notified before the plea deal was taken, and said a supervisor was looking into that.

Eastham is wondering how much more evidence do they need.

"That's why I am upset, there isn’t even a felony on her record and she can still own a gun," he said.

Eastham injured his finger and spent two weeks in the hospital. He says he is suffering from PTSD and was hoping at the very least she wouldn't be able to carry a gun anymore. He plans to be in court at her sentencing, in hopes of sending a very clear message.

"Shame on you judge, shame on you," he said. "I am very upset, this catch and release with criminals may generate money for the state but you are putting the public in danger."