Armed man taps gun on woman's car window, shoots her as she flees

DETROIT (WJBK) - A young woman attacked after leaving work, shot during an attempted robbery.

"She tried to get away and they just started shooting," said Laneika Haynes.

Karesha Banks of Detroit is slowing recovering inside St. John Hospital Tuesday, while her family is just thankful the 22-year-old is still breathing.

"I thought she wasn't going to make it last night," said Haynes, Banks' cousin. "Lord praise, amen that she made it through."

With her shift ending at 11 p.m. Monday, Banks walked out of work at St James Nursing & Rehabilitation center.  Getting into her car, Banks noticing a man in the parking lot on Gratiot near State Fair.

"She turned up the music real loud so they wouldn't hear her lock the door," Haynes said.

But moments later Karesha spots the man tapping a gun on her passenger side window.

"Karesha looked back and the guy was shaking with the gun and he shot at her passenger side window," said Haynes.

Her family says Banks tried to get away, hit the gas but two bullets hit her.

"They shot her in the stomach and the arm," Haynes said.

Driving to herself to boyfriend's house nearby, her boyfriend rushed her to the hospital. Banks underwent surgery Tuesday removing the bullets.

"She didn't need that, she didn't do anything to anybody out there," said Haynes. "And she's afraid now."

With that shooter still on the loose, Banks' coworkers are also terrified.

"For something like this to happen, as a new worker, I'm scared," said Tayza Walker, a co-worker. "That's why I don't carry my purse. You've got to be prepared for stuff like this."

While Detroit police say they're reviewing surveillance video, Banks' family and coworkers are relieved she's pulled through.

"I think somebody should be watching the area," Walker said. "Not because of this incident but because of the area."

Police have only a vague description of the suspect as a black male in his 20s with short braids and dark clothing.

Anyone with information should call Detroit police at (313) 596-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, you never have to leave your name.