Driver shoots at attacker 'speaking in tongues,' trying to crash vehicle

A stranger who offered $100 to a man to drive him across Detroit on Thursday night started "speaking in tongues" on I-96 and tried to veer into a nearby motorist before the driver shot at him, Michigan State Police reports.

The driver, 30, a concealed-pistol-license holder, stopped at 10:30 p.m. at a gas station on Clark and Fort streets. He was approached by the stranger, a 34-year-old man, who offered to fill his gas tank and give him money in exchange for a ride to the city's north side, according to a news release from police.

"As the two approach Grand Boulevard, the passenger (begins) speaking in tongues before he reaches over and tries steering the vehicle into (a) neighboring motorist," according to the news release.

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A struggle ensued, and the driver pulled one of his two concealed weapons and fired at the passenger. The passenger, who police describe as the suspect, then grabbed the gun while the victim tried to maintain control of the vehicle.

"The victim attempts to fire additional shots without success. The suspect jumps out of the vehicle still holding the victim's weapon," according to police. He ran off with the gun, police said.

The driver continued to the next exit and called 911. Detroit Police Department arrested the suspect after responding to a report of a man breaking into a van at a church. The suspect was hospitalized with a gunshot to the arm, and when he's released, he'll be jailed, state police report.

In interviews with the suspect, troopers learned where the victims gun may be. A police dog recovered the weapon.

Contact Robert Allen on Twitter @rallenMI or rallen@freepress.com.