Detroit, MI — On July 4th 2025, An elderly woman was assaulted at a liquor store on Kelly Road just north of 7 Mile Road on Detroit’s east side, in an incident mirroring those that has often sparked concern and outrage among community members.

According to a witness present at the scene, the altercation began when the woman was accused of theft by a store clerk. The witness reports that the clerk shoved the elderly woman to prevent her from leaving the store after the woman requested police be called. During the confrontation, the clerk violently snatched the woman’s purse and loudly declared, “I’m not scared of the police.”

The witness also observed another clerk acting aggressively towards a different customer, who was attempting to defend the elderly woman. After discovering that the woman had not stolen anything, the witness says the clerk returned her purse disrespectfully and did not apologize.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns in Detroit’s community about the treatment of Black customers at foreign-owned liquor stores and gas stations. Community activists in the city have long been addressing issues of racial profiling, harassment, and violence in these establishments.

Local advocates are calling for increased oversight and accountability at these stores to prevent such incidents from recurring and to ensure respectful treatment for all customers. The community continues to demand justice and systemic change to protect vulnerable residents from discriminatory practices.