GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids business owner is accused of a felonious assault that happened last month before closing time.
According to a probable cause document filed in the case against Lihao Wang, police were called to J Burger N Wings, located at 2023 Eastern Avenue SE, on Dec. 27 around 10 p.m. with a report of shots fired.
The victims, a woman and her son, were at the restaurant unharmed when police arrived. The suspect, Lihao Wang, was taken into custody after a high-risk traffic stop.
Court documents detail the woman went to pick up some food from Wang's business but found out he was closing. She had a credit card to use, which Wang would not accept, court documents show.
A verbal argument ensued, and the woman walked back to her car. As she was doing so, Wang is accused of following her outside and firing off three shots.
Wang is accused of pointing the gun at the woman at her son. He reportedly claimed they were warning shots.
He told detectives he felt threatened and acknowledged firing off the shots.
Law enforcement said Wang legally owned the pistol.
Wang is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted of the felony charge, he could face 4 years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine.
"It always depends on the facts, you know, any facts and circumstances - that's what's going to control how we charge it," Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said.
While he wouldn't speak to the facts of this case, Becker told 13 ON YOUR SIDE about what went into the decision to charge.
"Anytime somebody's put in fear, especially with gunfire, that's the concerning thing that we want to you know [and] make sure we take a stand on any law enforcement in terms of discharging a weapon in city limits," Becker said. "Well, they're going to take a look at it very seriously. I think now Grand Rapids police did do that and, you know, did an investigation and brought it over here as soon as they could."
A probable cause conference in court for this case is set for Jan. 9.
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