DETROIT — The Hampton Inn in downtown Dearborn has clarified what started a nearly seven-hour standoff Thursday with a 37-year-old man after he allegedly opened fire on hotel employees.
"There was some type of dispute with the hotel staff ... it revolved around money," said Dearborn police Chief Issa Shahin about the incident at the hotel on Michigan Avenue on Thursday. Shahin noted the victim was a 55-year-old hotel clerk from Riverview who was "just trying to do his job."
Chris Daly, a spokesman for the hotel, said hotel employees initially engaged Reichard Lee Williams-Lewis due to a noise complaint.
On Friday, the hotel issued a statement saying one of its associates died by gunfire from an individual suffering from mental health issues.
"Contrary to what was previously reported, we further can confirm with absolute certainty that this issue was not related to any invoice dispute or refund," the hotel said at the time. "The Dearborn Police Department arrived within moments of being called, and we would like to express our deepest gratitude to them, the fire department and everyone else involved for their professionalism and valiant efforts to defuse what became an hours-long standoff with the suspect."
However, the hotel clarified it over the weekend saying it was informed by Dearborn police that during negotiations, the alleged suspect repeatedly requested he be "given his money." The hotel said at no point was this information conveyed to the hotel or any staff member.
"Additionally, since the guest had been in the hotel only a few hours, no bill had even been issued at that point," according to the clarified statement. "The hotel engaged the suspect due to a noise complaint. Hampton by Hilton provides the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee which enables all employees to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure guests are happy, up to and including fully refunding room costs. We are extremely proud of the courageous actions our associates took during this tragedy and continue to mourn together."
Williams-Lewis, from Detroit, was arraigned Sunday on charges including premeditated first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and felonious assault by Judge Gene Hunt in Dearborn's 19th District Court.
The incident was sparked after Williams-Lewis allegedly argued with a hotel cleaning staff member over Williams-Lewis being loud and disturbing other guests, said Dearborn police Cpl. Nicholas Damphousse at the arraignment.
Damphousse said the cleaning staff member referred the issue to two managers, who discussed the concerns with Williams-Lewis, resulting in a more intense altercation and Williams-Lewis being asked to leave the hotel.
Williams-Lewis then went to his room and got his pistol while the hotel managers barricaded themselves into an adjacent room and called 911, Damphousse said.
Tyrone Chapple, a 55-year-old male staff member from Riverview, took the elevator to the third floor to check on the managers who were in the altercation with Williams-Lewis, Damphousse said.
When the elevator doors opened, Williams-Lewis fired at Chapple, wounding him. Damphousse said Chapple was still alive after the first shot and then Williams-Lewis stood over him "firing two additional rounds" into his head, killing Chapple.
Williams-Lewis then took the elevator to the lobby, where he pointed his gun at a 49-year-old Virginia woman who was staying at the hotel, and a 36-year-old Lincoln Park woman, Damphousse said.
Damphousse said video and audio recording showed Williams-Lewis approaching the lobby desk and asking the clerk, a 21-year-old woman, "Where's my money?"
The clerk went to the manager's office, closed the door and Williams-Lewis fired several shots at the door, causing shrapnel to hit the clerk's face, Damphousse said.
Dearborn officers talked to Williams-Lewis on the third floor before he barricaded himself. Police negotiated with Williams-Lewis, who told them that the hotel owed him $500 for attempting to evict him and that he wanted the money back, Damphousse said.
Dearborn SWAT officers arrested Williams-Lewis after several hours of negotiating that brought dozens of police to the scene for the nearly seven-hour-long standoff.
A preliminary examination is scheduled for Oct. 28.
