A man from Texas is confronted with felony assault charges after he reportedly knocked a woman unconscious in what seems to be a homophobic attack and kept hitting her while she remained on the ground outside the MGM Grand Detroit. According to witnesses, casino security failed to intervene despite observing the attack.
William Wilson, 26, from Fort Worth, reportedly assaulted Celia Haueter for holding hands with her fiancée, Chelsi Way. The couple went to a concert at the casino to celebrate Way’s 30th birthday. Haueter was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was given 30 stitches on her face.
Under Michigan law, prosecutors can incorporate hate crime enhancements to standard criminal charges when a suspect employs “force or violence” or “inflicts bodily harm,” along with evidence indicating the act was driven by prejudice against a protected group – in this case, LGBTQ+ individuals. A first-time attack fueled by hate can result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
Homophobic Insults
Haueter and Way went to the concert with Haueter's sibling, David Supal, and his fiancée, Zach Chearhart, on July 12. In the early hours of July 13, while heading to the parking valet, the group was confronted by two obviously drunk men, one of whom was Wilson.
“We’ve never been personally targeted and attacked,” Way told CBS News. “We kind of all looked at each other, and we were like, ‘This is weird.’”
According to the group, one of the men started to verbally attack Way with homophobic insults.
“As soon as he said that, then my brother kind of grabbed me,” Way said. “I’m on blood thinner; I have two blood clots in my lungs. He was worried about my safety.”
When Haueter stepped in to tell the men to stop bothering them, Wilson reportedly struck her. He struck her once more as she attempted to stand up again.
"I threw my body in front of her, cause I seen the haymakers he was throwing. I took about 3-4 shots,” Supal said.
Wilson then departed from the scene as onlookers and security personnel observed. Way trailed him from afar and dialed 911. Authorities subsequently found and apprehended Wilson.
'Shield the Citizens'
The group expresses profound dismay over what they characterize as a lack of action by MGM security personnel, which they contend could have averted or halted the assault.
"If security is there, I don’t know what they’re there for, maybe to protect MGM, but they’re not there to protect the people,” Way told WXYZ Detroit.
Data examined by Casino.org shows that front valet staff witnessed the conflict at 1:13am, notified security, and dialed 911. At 1:14 a.m., security showed up and started providing medical assistance. Emergency personnel, such as police officers and paramedics, seem to have arrived soon after.
Casino.org contacted the MGM Grand Detroit for a statement and was advised to reach out to the Detroit Police Department concerning the investigation. The casino has informed other news organizations that it is working with law enforcement.
