Detroit fire investigators arrest videographer at gunpoint on fireground over ‘citizen’s arrest’ of arsonist
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According to Steve Neavling at Motor City Muckraker, Detroit fire investigators drew their weapons last (Sunday) night on a fireground and arrested Alex Haggart. Haggart is the fire videographer who shot video of an arson in progress and detained a female suspect earlier this month.
Haggart’s home was recently raided as investigators looked for evidence that the videographer illegally pulled a handgun on the arson suspect. Haggart was also in the news for providing the images that showed a Detroit Fire Department deputy chief visiting a bar in his department SUV.
Steve Neavling, Motor City Muckraker:
Shortly after 10 p.m., officers surrounded and handcuffed Alex Haggart and a friend just after they arrived to document a commercial building fire at the border of Hamtramck and Detroit on the eve of Devil’s Night, the notorious period of arson on the night before Halloween.
Previously: Detroit deputy chief gets time off for bar visit in fire SUV
Detroit deputy chief under investigation after fire SUV found at a bar
“Hands! Hands! Hands!” an arson investigator shouted at Haggart, a contributor to Motor City Muckraker. “Let me see your hands!”
Haggart’s friend, who is a photojournalist, was detained in handcuffs for about an hour, even though he was not accused of a crime. He was questioned and later released.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office authorized a felony arrest warrant that alleges Haggart, 36, was carrying a gun with an expired concealed pistol license when he tried to make a citizen’s arrest earlier this month after catching a woman setting fire to a commercial building at Whittier and Lakepointe on Detroit’s east side.
Below is a July 2016 public affairs show on WJBK-TV where Alex Haggart talks about his work.
