GANGLAND ATTACK ON POLICE ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE LEADER

FROM THE DETROIT FREE PRESS:

At approximately 10:15 last evening, Police Organized Crime Task Force Director Thomas O'brien was attacked by a masked gunman while walking down Durella Street. Although O'brien had no comment for the press regarding the assault, occupants of nearby buildings reported hearing several volleys of gunfire from an automatic weapon, along with quite a few single shots, as well. Details are sketchy, but one nearby apartment-dweller was able to scramble to a window and reported seeing a late model sports car parked in the street, and a costumed man firing a machine gun at O'brien, who apparently dove behind a dumpster for cover and returned fire. O'brien was unharmed, and the assailant was taken into custody when police backup arrived. A statement was later released by the department, identifying the attacker as Robert P. "Ralph" Gaitano, a well known hitman and underworld operative.

An unidentified woman was also on the scene, and she apparently was also uninjured, and left the scene before police arrived.