A Dearborn police officer has been suspended without pay and will undergo additional training after a department review determined the officer failed to properly respond to a resident’s concerns about his safety — the same resident who police said was targeted and struck by a vehicle in late August.
“It was determined that the interaction did not reflect the standards of service that our community expects and deserves,” said Police Chief Issa Shahin in a statement on Friday, Sept. 5.
The victim, 40-year-old Haider Alfadawi, was crossing Michigan Avenue on foot late at night on Aug. 23 when an SUV struck him in “an act of vehicular assault,” according to law enforcement. Officers found him unresponsive with life-threatening injuries before he was taken to a local hospital, where he remains in stable but serious condition.
Alfadawi — who lost his 6-year-old daughter in a fatal hit-and-run in 2021 and is known in the Dearborn area for his custom GMC Envoy covered in thousands of chrome stickers — posted repeatedly on social media in the days leading up to the crash, and even the night of the incident, claiming people were trying to kill him over a $565 dispute.
In one video posted to Facebook hours before the alleged assault, Alfadawi, who also goes by the nickname “ZilZal,” can be heard speaking with an officer at the Dearborn Police Department about concerns for his life. Before Alfadawi can finish giving information, the officer tells him to “contact the detective bureau on Monday.” When Alfadawi pressed the officer on what he should do if someone tries to kill him again, the officer replied, “You call us.”
Murtadha Jabbar Alizairij, 38, of Dearborn, has been arraigned on felony charges in connection with the incident, including assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to cause great bodily harm, felonious assault and a motor vehicle violation, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. His bond was set at $750,000 cash or surety.
Early investigation revealed the suspect and the victim had “closely known each other for over 20 years,” Dearborn police said on Monday, Aug. 25. “The incident appears to have been a targeted act of intentional violence in response to a business dispute between Alizairij, the victim and their family.”
Shahin said the Dearborn Police Department remains committed to accountability and professionalism, despite the suspended officer’s actions.
“While this incident is an important reminder that, as a department, we must always strive to do better, I also want to recognize the overwhelming positive impact our officers make every day through acts of service, problem-solving, and a genuine dedication to keeping Dearborn safe,” the chief said. “We are proud to serve this community and grateful for the support and partnership of our residents.”
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn officer suspended after mishandling man’s concerns before alleged attack
Reporting by Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
