Man Faces Hate Crime Charges After Alleged Assault on Couples Outside MGM Grand Detroit
On July 13, a night out for a concert in downtown Detroit turned into a troubling incident for two couples, leading to one woman being hospitalized. The events unfolded outside the MGM Grand Detroit, sparking demands for accountability from the venue.
Chelsi Way, her wife Celia Haueter, and another couple were enjoying a concert when they returned to MGM Grand to retrieve their vehicle around 1 a.m. As they waited outside, they were approached by two men allegedly making threatening comments.
“We’ve never experienced such targeted aggression before,” Way recounted. One of the men reportedly placed a hand on Way’s brother’s shoulder and started a conversation that became confrontational. “That’s when the taller man began using homophobic slurs against us,” Way added.
Concerned for their safety, Way’s brother attempted to find security while the two men continued to harass the couples. The situation escalated when one of the attackers, William James Wilson, allegedly punched Haueter multiple times. “I remember falling to the floor and then my mind just went blank,” Haueter stated, recalling the shocking experience.
After the alleged assault, Way chased Wilson while calling the police. Both couples were frustrated as they claimed that their pleas for assistance from security personnel went unheeded, despite reports of numerous bystanders observing the altercation.
“You guys have a responsibility to maintain safety,” asserted Way, highlighting their feeling of vulnerability during the incident. David Supal, who is engaged to Way’s brother, intervened during the assault, stating, “I had to throw myself in front of her to shield her from the blows. I ended up taking several hits myself.” Haueter required over 20 stitches following the attack and was informed by a doctor that a harder hit could have resulted in more severe brain injury.
Following the incident, authorities arrested Wilson, a 26-year-old from Fort Worth. He faces several charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm against Haueter, along with counts of aggravated assault, assault and battery, and multiple hate crime charges involving physical injury. Wilson has been granted a bond set at $100,000. A probable cause conference is slated for August 24, with a preliminary examination set for August 31.
CBS News Detroit reached out to MGM Grand for comments regarding the incident, but was directed to the Detroit Police Department for further inquiries.
Incident Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | July 13, 2025 |
| Location | MGM Grand Detroit |
| Assault Victim | Celia Haueter |
| Arrested Individual | William James Wilson (26) |
| Charges | Assault, aggravated assault, hate crimes |
| Bond Amount | $100,000 |
