USPS mail carrier attacked by group in Detroit, police say; Four people in custody

Detroit police say four people — three adults and one juvenile — are in custody after a U.S. Postal Service worker was attacked on Wednesday.

At about 5:10 p.m., officers responded to the 20000 block of Joann Street, near Collingham Street, after receiving a ShotSpotter alert and a 911 call. A preliminary investigation found that the group allegedly approached the worker while he was on his route, and there was a physical altercation before one of the suspects fired a gun.

DPD initially said the victim appeared to be suffering a gunshot wound, but he was taken to a hospital and treated for a laceration. Police say no one was struck by gunfire. 

A firearm was recovered. Police also recovered evidence several blocks from the scene that may be connected to the case.

Kelly Robinson says she was working outside her Detroit home on Wednesday afternoon, when her favorite mailman made his routine route on Joann Street. She says she ran inside to get him a drink, and that's when police say the postal worker was approached by the group.

"I just heard someone say something, and he said, 'No, I don't want to fight you guys. You got a gun,'" Robinson said.

USPS says it is aware of the shooting, and postal inspectors are assisting police in the investigation. DPD says Michigan State Police, Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also assisting them in the investigation.