Community Stunned by Murder of West Bloomfield Father

A lot happened this past week, and we want to make sure you didn't miss a thing. Here are some of the biggest stories from around the area:

Father of seven shot and killed at auto shop

Samir Mikha Hannawa, 49, a West Bloomfield father of seven, was laid to rest Saturday after what Detroit Police Department detectives reportedly began to investigate Hannawa's murder Wednesday.

The Oakland Press reports that Hannawa's family were stunned by the seemingly-random act at Great Lakes Transmissions, located on Wyoming and Intervale on Detroit's west side. According to witnesses, two suspects fled in a car before Hannawa was transported to Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit, but doctors were unable to save him.

Deer crashes through window at White Lake business

Employees at White Lake window distributing company Lakeside Window called police after a deer crashed through a side window at the business and was running loose in the building, reported White Lake-Highland Patch.

The report states that White Lake Police were called Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. because employees weren't sure how to get the frightened deer out of the building.

Fortunately, according to the report, the deer was able to leave the business through the same window without injury prior to police arrival.

Bloomfield Hills man accused of felony attempted kidnapping

Derek Wallin, 24, of Bloomfield Hills, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and trying to lure her into his vehicle, according to Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills Patch.

Oakland County Circuit Court records show Wallin, was bound over for trial on one count of attempted kidnapping, and one count criminal sexual conduct — fourth degree, following a preliminary hearing on Nov. 2. He remained at the Oakland County Jail Saturday on $100,000 bond.

Authorities accuse Wallin of trying to lure a 14-year-old girl into his silver Chevrolet Camaro in the area of Normandy and Tonawanda streets in Royal Oak at about 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6. The girl was walking alone in the area when he approached and offered her a ride and marijuana, police said.

If convicted, he could face a a maximum five-year prison sentence for attempted kidnapping, and up to two years in the Oakland County Jail on the misdemeanor sexual assault charge.

Army wives and moms stuff stockings for soliders

Hartland Patch featured a group of women so moved by their families serving in the military overseas that they organized a holiday stocking drive, just in time for Christmas.

Bags full of donated Halloween candy, games, gift cards and personal care items filled the donation box set out at Kahuna Coffee in Hartland.

"We have letters from the kids to the soldiers thanking them for their service," said Lori Frechette of Hartland, whose 20-year-old son is serving in Afghanistan as a member of the National Guard. "And I know some of the moms from Hartland had the kids go through their Halloween candy and pick out pieces to give to the soldiers, which I thought was pretty amazing to teach kids at a young age that these are people you need to look up to."

With more than 20 stockings filled to the top, more items came from donation locations in Canton and Westland including Curves, K&J Hair Salon and Sav-More Drugs. 

Birmingham moving on after charter amendment loses at the polls

An amendment to the Birmingham City Charter which would have made it easier for the city to sell city-owned property at market value was rejected by voters Nov. 6, reported Birmingham Patch.

The city can not sell property for more than $2 per capita, or $2 multiplied by the city's population as determined by the last U.S. census. The only way the city can bypass the rule, reportedly, is to receive approval from voters.

City officials said the failure of the charter amendment does not impact any immediate plans or projects, and that the city will continue to acquire property as part of its public improvement efforts.

Patch local editors Art Aisner, Laura Houser, Brooke Tajer and Tatum Ryan contributed to this report.