Motorist Shot During Traffic Stop Faces Multiple Charges

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LIVONIA, MI – A Livonia motorist who was shot by police during a traffic stop early Sunday morning after allegedly pointing a long gun at police officers was charged Tuesday with multiple felonies, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Joseph Frank Carlton, 23, who sustained two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in the confrontation with police, was released from the hospital Wednesday and taken to the Livonia police station for processing, then to 16th District Court for arraignment, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.

Judge Sean Kavanagh set Carlton’s bond at $1 million cash/surety and ordered him held on the following charges: felonious assault, resisting and obstructing, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm, second offense drunken driving and driving with a suspended license.

The charges stem from an incident about 2 a.m. at Lyndon and Farmington Road after a Livonia police officer responded to a call about an erratic driver weaving in and out of traffic.

A second Livonia police officer arrived for backup and the first officer pulled Carlton over. As the first officer approached the vehicle, Carlton allegedly pointed a rifle outside the driver-side window at the officer. The first officer immediately backed away from the car with the second officer near him.

Carlton allegedly pointed his weapon at the first officer again, and both officers, fearing for their safety fired their weapons at him, then ordered Carlton out of the car, according to the statement.

Carlson was placed under arrest and taken to a local hospital for treatment of his wounds. Authorities did not say where he was wounded.

Carlton’s next court appearance is 9 a.m. April 21 for a probable cause hearing, against before Kavanagh in 16th District Court.