A White couple was arrested and charged July 2 with felonious assault after the White woman pulled out a gun on a 15-year-old Black teen and her mother in the parking lot of a Chipotle restaurant in Orion Township.
Matters escalated Jillian Wuestenberg; a White woman, allegedly bumped into the 15-year-old Black girl who wanted an apology.
The incident occurring July 1 was videotaped with a cellphone. Wuestenberg can be seen arguing with the teen, who is calling Wuestenberg “racist” and “ignorant” as the teen’s mother says Wuestenberg should apologize. The mother can be heard telling the teen to go inside and saying “I got this.” The teen refuses and denies they were blocking Wuestenberg from her car, as she accused them of. Both parties use profane language as Wuestenberg gets into a vehicle.
Inside the vehicle, Wuestenberg says “You cannot just walk around calling White people racist. This is not that type of world. White people aren’t racist. No one’s racist. I care about you. I care about you, and I’m sorry if you had an incident that has made-someone made you feel like that..”
The arguing continues from both parties.
A thumping noise is heard.
Wuestenberg is seen pointing a gun at the person holding the camera phone saying “get away” and telling the Black family to call the cops as the Black family says they are calling the cops.
“Don’t you jump behind my car,” Wuestenberg shouts.
“I didn’t jump behind your car,” is heard.
Wuestenberg eventually gets back in her vehicle and her husband drives it away from the scene. The other party got their license plate.
Both Jillian Wuestenberg and her husband Eric Wuestenberg had loaded handguns, have concealed pistol licenses and are from Independence Township. The Black woman and her children who were with her are from Pontiac. The Black woman’s husband is a Detroit police officer, called 911 and was driving to the scene. Jillian Wuestenberg also made calls to 911.
Eric Wuestenberg worked as a coordinator for veterans’ support services at Oakland University. OU released a statement on the incident saying: “We have seen the video and we deem his behavior unacceptable. The employee has been notified that his employment has been terminated by the university.”
Felonious assault is a 4-year-felony. The prosecutor told The Associated Press that her office viewed the available video and looked at the facts before filing charges. The couple were arraigned and last reported free on a $50,000 bond, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. As a condition of the bond they must turn over all firearms, not engage in “assaultive behavior” and not leave Michigan, and they are scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause hearing on July 14.
