Man who shot, killed dog mauling victim 'wishes he wasn't there'

DETROIT (WJBK) - A neighbor who tried to save a woman being mauled by a dog accidentally and fatally shot her, says that he was trying to help and that he's devastated by what happened.

The 53-year-old victim was walking to work in the 9500 block of Goodwin in Detroit on Monday when a vicious dog started to maul her. Mike Williams, a CPL holder, got in between to the dog and the woman and reached for his gun. He says it accidentally discharged and he hit the animal but he also shot the woman in the back.

"I wish I wasn't there. I'm glad I was there but I wish I wasn't there. Especially with her losing her life when I was trying to protect her. It just hurts so much," he said. "I just don't want anybody to be mad at me. Please. I did what she asked me to do - help me. That's all I could do."

Williams, 61, could face prison time for trying to save the woman, a long-time friend and next door neighbor. One large dog was viciously attacking her and a second was circling her when Williams jumped in to try and help her.

The woman was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The dogs, which appeared to be pit bulls or pit mixes, were nowhere to be found.

"I'm hurting so bad. Just hurting so bad," Williams said.

The Monday night death happened on Goodwin St just south of the borders of Hamtramck and Highland park. Friends and neighbors identified the victim as Patricia Cosby.

"I don't blame him at all because he tried to save her and just made a mistake," Verlene Bolden said. "I hate to see him going through this. All he did was try to help."

Williams is a single father known as a servant and protector of the neighborhood, watching out for crime, even shoveling driveways and mowing lawns for free, all while keeping an eye out for stray dogs, which according to some neighbors have been an ongoing problem.

"There was about three of them, I opened up the door and they jumped at me," Robert Warmack said.

"I wish we had more dog catchers. I wish we had a lot of stuff," Williams said.

Police say Williams has been very cooperative with police, now he waits to hear what his future holds.

When Detroit police finish their investigation, it will be up to the prosecutors office to decide how and if Williams will be charged.