"I [have] never seen [any] police around here with [any] guns like that," a neighbor said. "It just didn't seem right."
Neighbors say early Friday afternoon two men, one identified as Ezra Gray, a volunteer for the Detroit 300, tried to raid a house to get back what they thought was stolen property. Allegedly they claimed to be police officers and one of them had an antique rifle.
"All I heard was, 'I don't have [a] problem with you searching my house, but how you came, I don't who you [are], so you don't have [a] warrant. You're not getting in.'"
"It's his house. He's got the right to protect his house," another neighbor said.
Neighbors told investigators that the man who lives there was taking care of another neighbor, who recently passed away and that the dying man left few of his belongings as a token of thanks, but his family wanted the stuff back and asked for the Detroit 300 for help.
In a statement, the Detroit 300 says, "We do not know all of the facts. Mr. Ezra Gray is a citizen volunteer with The Detroit 300. We do not have a membership. Nevertheless, ALL volunteers with The Detroit 300 must sign a volunteer registration form that clearly states that volunteers must act in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan and The Detroit 300 By-laws and resolutions. Any volunteer that act contrary to said laws are acting on behalf of themselves and NOT The Detroit 300. The Detroit 300 is organized like volunteers on Angel's Night in the City of Detroit. We ask people to come and help us walk neighborhoods to gather information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of people who commit violent crimes against seniors, women and children. People see us on the street and walk out of their homes and join us. Whosoever will -- let him or her come and help -- and we pray his or heart is in the right place."
On his volunteer registration form, 47-year-old Ezra Gray says he has a concealed pistol license and describes himself as an expert in martial arts, bomb handling and army and firearm tactics.
Neighbors say this could have ended much differently.
"It would've been an all out shootout for real because you [come to] somebody's door with a gun talking about you [are] the police when you're really not, you don't know what that man [has] got in his house."
Both men are facing several felony charges, including felony possession of a firearm, felony home invasion and impersonating a police officer, which is also a felony.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.