Royal Oak Police search for Hookah Joe shooting suspects
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) - Royal Oak police are still searching for two men who shot up a popular hookah lounge early Sunday morning, hitting an employee with a bullet in the process.
Police were called to Hookah Joe at the corner of Washington and Lincoln in Royal Oak around 3:30 Sunday morning. That's when police say an argument broke out on the second floor of the business.
One suspect showed a gun, the other pointed to his waist, insinuating that he had one. They were escorted out and one of them used the gun and fired a shot, police say. Then they say they continued to shoot up the place as they drove by, grazing an employee in the head.
Mike Shakarma owns Hookah Joe and says they've been there for more than a decade and this is the first time something like this has happened.
"I can't believe it. We've been here for 11 years and its never happeneed. I cant believe someone drove through and just started shooting at innocent people and the guy that got hit - he's such a sweet heart just got married a few months ago. He's been working with us for three years - such a nice guy. I cant believe it," Shakarma said.
Police spent hours collecting evidence from both inside and outside of Hookah Joe on Sunday. Despite the crime, and the visible gunshots to the front of the building, it was open for business later that night.
Investigators are continuing to follow up on each and every tip - in hopes of tracking down the two suspected shooters who not only injured an employee but worried those who live, work and study nearby - it's just feet away from oakland community college's royal oak campus.
"It's a nice community, great people. I just don't understand why those problems would be coming to this town," OCC student Michael Penfil said.
The suspects were last seen in a grey or silver possible Dodge Charger with chrome rims, tinted windows and a dent on the passenger side door. Police have not released any surveillence video yet but if and when they do we will pass it along to you.