Attacker let women go after one victim says she turned to prayer
Posted:
Updated:
By Taryn Asher Fox 2 News
DETROIT (WJBK) -- Two young women were kidnapped at gunpoint, robbed and one of them was raped, but then they were able to convince their attacker to let them go. One victim attributes it to smart thinking and prayer.
"I thought I was dead. We both thought we were dead. We thought that was the end," said a 22-year-old woman.
It all started last Friday as she and her friend were leaving the Tiger Liquor Store at Puritan and Meyers on Detroit's west side. A man pulled out a gun and pointed it at their car window.
"We basically did what he said, gave him everything we had. He counted the money, said it wasn't enough, and he said, 'Which one of you [is] going to get shot?'"
Fearing for their lives, they agreed to the man's demands. She said he forced her friend to drive to an abandoned building at Ward and McNichols. He then held a gun to one young woman's head while he sexually assaulted the other.
He then demanded their money, forcing them to drive to an ATM and give him whatever they had.
"That's all we kept saying, you can have the money, you can have everything. Just let us live."
She only had two minutes to get the money out of the machine at grocery store before he threatened he would shoot her friend. She grabbed what she could and was able to alert a worker to call police. But by the time officers arrived, their attacker forced them to drive away.
With nothing to lose, this woman decided to try something else. She started to pray and offering to get the man help if he let them go.
"We were just thinking smart and it was God. It was only God. All I could do is pray," she said. "We could take you to church with us. We'll talk to you. We'll be your friend."
"He made us put our phone numbers in his phone and he asked us to take him to church."
Then something happened they never expected. She explained her attacker started apologizing, eventually got out of the car and let them go. They headed straight for the hospital and called police. On their way, they got an unexpected phone call from the man.
"Texting and calling us. He texted my friend first and asked was she okay and where were we going."
Detectives connected that phone number to 19-year-old Javontaw Fizer and traced it to his house on Manor. There they found his gun, the cash and Fizer, who we're told confessed to police.
"I'm so glad that they got him as soon as they did. Basically, we're just thankful to be alive."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:12:17 GMT
An attorney for a former Michigan Supreme Court justice says community service would be an appropriate sentence for a scandal that forced her out of office.
An attorney for a former Michigan Supreme Court justice says community service would be an appropriate sentence for a scandal that forced her out of office.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:39 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:39:13 GMT
The MTA says limited service will resume this afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains between New York and New Haven.
The MTA says limited service will resume this afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains between New York and New Haven. Beginning with the 3:07 p.m. departure from Grand Central Terminal, Metro-North will operate about half of the regular eastbound PM peak service and regular hourly westbound service with the 4:23 PM train from New Haven. Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly, says the MTA.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:51:26 GMT
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company.
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company. The American Guild of Musical Artists said the eight remaining dancers of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet have accepted buyout packages.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:06:47 GMT
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Looking for some waterfront property in tony Greenwich? A 50-acre compound known as Copper Beach Farm has hit the market with an asking price of $190 million.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-09 02:37:53 GMT
A Wayne-Westland firefighter's life has been tragically cut short. Wednesday, 29-year-old Brian Woehlke was killed on the job. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
A Wayne-Westland firefighter's life has been tragically cut short. Wednesday, 29-year-old Brian Woehlke was killed on the job. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Friday, May 3 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-04 02:31:05 GMT
A beloved girls basketball coach at Cody High School is one of the latest victims of deadly gun violence in Detroit. Family, friends and players gathered on Friday to remember Coach Charles Knott.
A beloved girls basketball coach at Cody High School is one of the latest victims of deadly gun violence in Detroit. Family, friends and players gathered on Friday to remember Coach Charles Knott.
Sunday, April 28 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-04-29 01:33:01 GMT
An investigation is underway into Saturday's explosion and fire at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. On Sunday, residents reported a strong "rotten egg" smell in the area.
An investigation is underway into Saturday's explosion and fire at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. On Sunday, crews were re-testing air quality and residents reported a strong "rotten egg" smell following the incident.
Sunday, April 28 2013 12:41 AM EDT2013-04-28 04:41:28 GMT
A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit Saturday. The fire is out, no one hurt, cause under investigation.
A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit Saturday. Fox 2 has learned the fire started in one of the smaller tanks; the fire is out and the cause is being investigated.