DEARBORN – On the morning of Friday, August 19, a preliminary examination was held in the case of the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Hassan Zeidan on a local parking lot basketball court outside of Riverside Academy in the city’s 19th District Court. 

A picture of 23-year-old Hassan Zeidan, who was shot and killed last month, is shown attached to the basketball goal on the concrete court where he was killed near Riverside Academy in Dearborn. PHOTO: Nick Meyer/TAAN

Fadi Faraj, 34, faces charges of first-degree murder and felony firearm possession from the incident, which happened on July 13. Faraj allegedly shot Zeidan multiple times including in the back and head after an argument and altercation.

The examination was adjourned until September 2 at 1 p.m., however, after it was revealed that testimony from witness Gassan Mrue relating to two other witnesses could potentially lead to criminal charges according to local news reports and information from court attendees. 

Abraham Faraj, Fadi Faraj’s cousin, and Mohammed Bazzi, both testified at the exam and were also told that they could face charges of their own. After their testimonies, Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Screen said that testimony from Mrue could potentially bring about criminal charges against them. 

Screen did not name which person could be charged, but the crime could potentially be first-degree murder under an aiding and abetting theory. 

Both men said they wished to retain a lawyer after a brief recess was called by Judge Mark Somers to inform them of the situation. 

Abraham Faraj stormed through the doors of the courtroom after being told of the news. 

Testimony from Mrue also provided more information about the events leading up to the shooting. 

The basketball game played on July 2 was a three-on-three contest and Fadi Faraj was not happy about Zeidan’s tight defense and continued slapping at the ball. A scuffle broke out during which punches were thrown, Mrue said. It was eventually broken up. 

Mrue said he saw Fadi Faraj grab a silver handgun out of his car nearby and others eventually were able to grab the gun from him after a struggle before attempting to calm him down. Fadi Faraj was still upset according to Mrue and wanted to fight again, saying a cheap shot was thrown in the first scuffle. 

Another fistfight occurred between Zeidan and Fadi Faraj, and Faraj fell to his knees at one point before absorbing a series of punches from Zeidan.  

Mrue said Fadi Faraj told Zeidan he was going to kill him after that fight was broken up and then went to his car and returned with his gun, charging Zeidan and shooting him from 20-30 feet away according to Mrue. 

Zeidan had tried to run but was shot in the back and fell to the ground. Fadi Faraj then shot him at least twice more according to Mrue from close range as he stood over top of him.