$20K offered in Dearborn road rage shooting that killed 19-year-old
A February road rage incident in Dearborn left a 19-year-old dead and her family heartbroken as they still search for answers a month later.
Rowan Baseti of Dearborn Heights was fatally struck by gunfire on Feb. 21 when her vehicle was shot at around 9:45 p.m. at the intersection of Tireman Avenue and West Morrow Circle on Dearborn's east side.
"To say that my family and I are devastated or heartbroken — it's an understatement. Losing Rowan broke us," said the victim's brother, Hani Baseti, at a Friday news conference, exactly a month after his sister was killed. "She was only 19 years old, loved, full of life and innocence. She had a bright future ahead of her.
"Her smile could light up the whole room."
Joined by the victim's family and Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Police Chief Issa Shahin announced that a $20,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and charges in the road rage shooting that killed Rowan.
Rowan was driving a black 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee when a white 2015 Chrysler 200 allegedly cut her off near the intersection of Warren Avenue and the Southfield Freeway Service Drive, according to Dearborn police. The victim then followed the Chrysler to get the license plate number, heading north on the Southfield Service Drive before turning east onto Tireman Avenue.
Police say the victim followed the vehicle for 2 miles.
"As the vehicles reached the intersection of Tireman and West Morrow Circle, the suspect vehicle turned north onto Cheyenne Street and fired several gunshots at the victim's vehicle," according to a Dearborn police release the day after the incident. "One of the bullets entered the victim's vehicle through the windshield, fatally striking the driver."
Rowan had two friends in the car with her when the chase and the shooting took place, according to the release. Police pronounced Rowan dead upon arrival; the two female passengers were not injured.
"Rowan knows not to follow any cars; we've had that talk multiple times — if somebody scratched your car, hit you — if you can't take a picture, don't take a picture. Someone told her to follow that car," the victim's sister, Serin Baseti said through tears at the news conference. "Sadly, one of her friends were the ones who told her to pursue that car. That's what she sadly did. She's never the one to just chase a car or anything like that."
In light of the shooting and as a reminder to the public, Shahin advised not to follow a vehicle during a traffic altercation; instead, separate yourself. If possible, provide any information you have to law enforcement for follow-up.
Rowan is remembered by her family as a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt who had a bright future ahead. A graduate of Dearborn High School, she was continuing her education at Henry Ford College and planned to become a physician's assistant.
"As Muslims, we're taught to believe that if you kill an innocent life, it's as if you killed all of humanity, and that's how we feel today," Hani, said. "My father is standing right behind me today, sadly, because he had to bury his little girl. As a parent, you never seem to think that you'll bury your younger ones."
Rowan's brother urged the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small.
"To the person or people who are responsible. We know that the DPD will bring justice. You stole Rowan's future and stole her from us," he said. "We urge anyone who's seen anything or heard anything to speak up so that my beautiful baby sister can get the rest she deserves. We urge you to come forward, no matter what information you have."
Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to make an anonymous tip at 1-800-SPEAK UP.
The $20,000 reward comes from donations by local businesses and a matching contribution from Crime Stoppers of Michigan.
"What we're asking for is the community's assistance and support to come forward," Hammoud said. "The $20,000 is an opportunity to change your life, but most importantly, it's an opportunity to bring closure to the family that's standing here today."
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn road rage shooting kills 19-year-old, $20K reward offered
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