A dispute over a power washer at a Michigan flea market turned deadly when a customer allegedly drove a van into the vendor who sold it to him.
Mirhad Cehic, 59, was fatally struck Saturday at the County Line Trade Center in Warren after an argument broke out between him, his brother and two customers, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
uncertain
argument → turn → Lucido
Zarick Lamont Johnson, 41, of Detroit, has since been charged with first-degree murder and other offenses in connection with Cehic’s death.
asserted
Johnson → charge → death
Johnson and a woman allegedly returned to the flea market after buying a power washer from Cehic earlier in the day.
uncertain
Johnson → return → day
The pair allegedly believed the machine did not work, prompting a confrontation with Cehic and his brother, Senad, 53, according to Warren Police.
uncertain
machine → believe → Police
The argument escalated into a physical altercation, prosecutors said.
asserted
prosecutors → escalate → altercation
Johnson allegedly assaulted Senad before getting into a 2004 Chevrolet Express van.
uncertain
Johnson → assault → van
Johnson then allegedly drove the vehicle toward Mirhad, striking him.
uncertain
Johnson → drive → him
Lucido said Johnson reversed the van before driving forward again, pinning Cehic between the vehicle and a wall.
asserted
Johnson → say → vehicle
Bystanders intervened and pulled Johnson from the van, holding him until police arrived, authorities said.
asserted
authorities → intervene → him
Cehic was treated at the scene by emergency medical crews and taken to Henry Ford Hospital in Warren, where he was pronounced dead.
asserted
he → treat → Warren
Johnson and the woman were initially taken into custody.
asserted
Johnson → take → custody
The woman was not charged.
asserted
woman → charge → ?
Cehic’s family identified him as the victim, saying the Bosnian native immigrated to the U.S. more than 30 years ago and had spent years selling outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers and snowblowers, at the flea market to help support his family.
asserted
native → identify → family
He is survived by his wife, three adult children and two teenage children.
asserted
He → survive → wife
"He goes there every weekend and sells items that people buy, and for some reason, this happened," his son, Alvin Cehic, 24, told WXYZ.
asserted
son → go → WXYZ
He had plenty more years to live," Alvin Cehic continued.
asserted
Cehic → have → years
"He made sure people were alright and he took care of us.
asserted
he → make → us
He just wanted us to be the best for ourselves.
asserted
us → want → ourselves
He was a good father for sure, I'll tell you that.
asserted
I → tell → that
He made sure that we were good from the top to the bottom.”
asserted
were → make → bottom
Johnson was arraigned Tuesday.
asserted
Johnson → arraign → ?
In addition to first-degree murder, he faces charges of assault or assault and battery and a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle in the commission of an offense.
asserted
he → face → offense
He pleaded not guilty and was denied bond.
asserted
He → plead → bond
He remains in the Macomb County Jail and was ordered to have no contact with witnesses or victims.
asserted
He → remain → witnesses
“This is a terrible situation,” Lucido said in a statement.
asserted
Lucido → say → statement
“One man is dead, another is allegedly assaulted and a third is charged with murder and could face the most severe punishment provided under Michigan law.
uncertain
third → assault → law
A dispute should never end with a life being lost.”
Johnson’s next court hearing is scheduled for October 13 for a probable cause conference.
asserted
hearing → end → conference
The Aporia
.png?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
