A man accused of attacking an elderly patron of a gym in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where former Michigan football and NFL star Braylon Edwards intervened to save the gym-goer's life, has been charged.
Malik Ali Smith, 20, is charged with assault with intent to murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted, Fox 2 Detroit reported.
Smith attacked the 80-year-old man after an exchange of words inside the Farming Hills YMCA locker room around 10:45 a.m. on March 1. Edwards, a Michigan Wolverines legend who was drafted third overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2005, heard the commotion caused after the verbal fight and intervened just in time.
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University of Michigan All-American & NFL Pro-Bowler, Braylon Edwards attends the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Golf Tournament presented by Tom Gores & Platinum Equity held at Detroit Golf Club at Detroit Golf Club on August 26, 2019 in Detroit , Michigan. (Scott Legato/Getty Images)
“I walk into the locker room after work and basically hear about four rows behind me arguing about the music and how they played it too loud,” Edwards explained. “So I'm not paying attention and just minding my business.
“The noise increases and then you can hear some pushing and shoving, so you know what a fight sounds like, but once I hear a thud, that's when I get up and turn around.”
BRAYLON EDWARDS, EX-NFL AND MICHIGAN STAR, SAVES THE LIFE OF AN 80-YEAR-OLD MAN DURING AN ATTACK IN THE LOCKER ROOM
Edwards revealed to WDIV-TV that authorities discovered that if they did not intervene, the elderly man could have died. He is currently in the hospital in critical condition.
“I see the guy I was thinking was reaching under the victim for a phone, grabbed the back of the victim's head by the hair and was about to slam him into the counter,” Edwards said.
Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets during the first practice at Metlife Stadium on June 16, 2010 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Benjamín Salomón/Getty Images)
“I didn't know it was that serious. I mean, the victim probably had a serious concussion by nature, but it wasn't until I spoke to Detective Jacobs in Farmington, who told me if I didn't intervene, but at the end of the day That's what you do.”
Smith allegedly fled the YMCA, but police were able to arrest him nearby. They took note of the good Samaritan in Edwards.
“This was a cruel and senseless attack,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said via Fox 2 Detroit. “I congratulate the witness who intervened and we will seek justice for this victim.”
Mark Ali Smith was charged with assault at a Michigan YMCA. (Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
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Smith is being held on $250,000 bail and has a probable cause conference scheduled for March 13 at 1:30 p.m.
