A Bazzi family was awakened to a firebomb in Dearborn Heights, October 22.

DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Residents are on edge this week after the third arson and home invasion incident since July targeted yet another Arab American household.

Two of the incidents occurred just days apart and both of those families’ last names are Bazzi, although they are not related. 

 Dearborn Heights Police believe the two cases aren’t connected and the similar circumstances are just “coincidental.”

The last incident occurred in the northern end of town, in a neighborhood near Warren and Inkster on Sunday, November 2, around 2 a.m. The Bazzi family said they were sleeping when they heard an intruder break into their home.

The week prior, the family had another incident where they discovered their Lebanese Flag had been torched overnight. The family had it displayed on their front porch with the American Flag raised above it. 

This time, the unidentified suspect burned both flags on their front porch before breaking into the kitchen to set it on fire.

“My dad woke up and seen (sic) a guy holding a wooden stick with fire on it and he threw it in the kitchen,” Lulu Bazzi told The Arab American News. “The guy ran outside the house and quickly jumped over the fence.”

According to the family, the unidentified man was wearing a black hoodie and a face mask. He also threw a torch onto the roof. The family of seven was able to evacuate the house without sustaining any injuries. 

They are currently staying with relatives while their home undergoes extensive repairs. Lulu Bazzi said her family has lived in the neighborhood for close to four years and that they have never engaged in conflicts or confrontations.

Another Bazzi family had their Lebanese flag torched on their front porch.

“We’ve never had a problem with anybody,” Bazzi said. “We love our neighbors, we are so close to each other and nothing like this has ever happened. It was a safe neighborhood until people started messing with us.”

In late October another Bazzi family, located on Charlesworth Street, was awakened in the middle of the night to discover that their house had been set on fire. Surveillance footage revealed that the culprit wore heavy clothing and had managed to launch a firebomb through their front window. The family of six was able to escape the home safely.

Dearborn Heights Police have reason to believe that the incident on Charlesworth is connected to another arson incident from July. Detectives believe that those two incidents are not random and could have possibly been executed by someone who had a vendetta against the families. 

“We do feel that two of the incidents are related. The latest one is not and we don’t believe they are random acts,” said Dearborn Heights Detective Michael Petri.  “The victims were targeted by known acquaintances. We don’t feel they are random acts happening in the community.” 

Lulu Bazzi said her family believes the incident could possibly be a hate crime. The members of her household are proud Lebanese Americans and they were showcasing their pride by displaying both flags on their front porch.

“My family loves this country as much as we love Lebanon,” Lulu said. “My dad came here when he was 14 and he’s worked here our entire lives. We have never once cheated the system. There’s no reason for anyone to have done this to us.”

Dearborn Heights Police Chief Lee Gavin said he wants the community to remain at ease as he doesn’t believe Arab American households are being targeted randomly.

“It is just a coincidence that we had two arson situations within a couple of weeks of each other,” Gavin said. “These are random acts and there is no need for the citizens to be fearful. These are isolated incidents. Our detectives are working on the cases and there is no need for the community to be scared.”

Residents with concerns or tips are encouraged to contact the Dearborn Heights Police at 313.277.6770.