Man Charged In Brutal Farmington Hills YMCA Attack: Prosecutors

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — A man could spend the rest of his life in prison after officials said he nearly beat an elderly man to death inside a Farmington Hills YMCA on Friday, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

Malik Ali Smith, 20, of Farmington Hills, was charged with assault with intent to murder in the incident. He was placed in the Oakland County Jail with a $250,000 cash or surety with no option of 10 percent. His next court date is scheduled for March 13.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

"This was a vicious, senseless attack," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a release. "I commend the witness who intervened, and we will seek justice for this victim."

Prosecutors said Smith attacked an 80-year-old man inside a Farmington Hills YMCA, located at 28100 Farmington Road around 11 a.m.

The man was bleeding from his face and had been slammed head first into a locker room counter before a "good Samaritan" pulled Smith away from the elderly man, according to police.

The elderly man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was in critical condition, according to police.

Smith then ran from the facility and multiple schools in the area were placed on lockdown while officers searched for Smith, according to police.

Officers found Smith shortly later on Parkhill Street, north of 12 Mile Road, where officers arrested him in connection with the beating without incident, according to police.

"I’d like to thank the good Samaritan for taking action to stop the suspect in the midst of a vicious assault, and I’d also like to thank the vigilant citizen for calling 911 when they observed the suspect attempting to conceal himself from police," Police Chief Jeff King said. "These actions demonstrate the pride citizens have in the safety of our community and the strong relationship our department enjoys with our community members."