Tow truck driver stops to help woman ambushed, fatally shot

A tow truck driver was ambushed and shot to death in Detroit.

Police say Anthony Alexander was flagged down by the suspects who tried to rob him - and then opened fire.

Alexander was coming to the rescue of a woman when he became the victim.

"He always loved tow trucks," said his mother Lisa Jones. "That was dream since from he was a little boy"

On Monday night Lisa Jones was watching the news when she saw the truck from the family's towing business flash on the screen.

It didn't take long for her to realize the man who was shot and killed was her son, Anthony Alexander, 23.

"He was just trying to do the right thing," Jones said. "And he couldn't do that. He loved towing."

Police believe Anthony Alexander was set up.

A woman, who appeared to be in trouble, flagged him down near Schoolcraft and Wyoming in Detroit. When Anthony stopped to help, two men came out of nowhere.

"They ambushed him and then they were struggling over his gun or one of the (other) people's guns and it shot him in the stomach," Jones said.

Wounded, Anthony was able to get away in his tow truck - but he didn't get very far. He crashed into the wall at a nearby Citgo gas station. He was able to tell police what happened..before he was taken to the hospital and eventually died from his gun shot wounds.

"I can't see why it happened to him," said Arianna Jones, his cousin.

Family and friends gathered to remember the young man described as fun-loving and kind.

Police are trying to determine the suspects and motive.

At the most, his mom says he had with him when he was working was $60.

She says her son's life was worth more than that..

Anthony was a concealed pistol license holder, but no gun was found at the scene.

If you have any information, contact Detroit police at (313) 596-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.