Father shot dead by road rage driver who chased him down as he drove to pick up his children from their first day of school

  • Derek Flemming, 43, was allegedly shot dead by Martin Zale, 69, Tuesday
  • Flemming and his wife Amy were driving to pick up their two children, aged seven and five, after their first day of school
  • Zale drove so fast down a side street that he almost hit the couple's car
  • He then tailgated them, passed them and cut them off before both cars pulled up to a set of lights, says a Flemming family representative
  • Derek Flemming got out of his car and asked, 'What's your problem?'
  • Zale allegedly wound down his window and shot Flemming in the head 
  • Amy Flemming ran to her husband's side and begged him to stay alive, but he was pronounced dead at the scene
  • Zale calmly remained by his car until police arrived 

By Alex Greg for MailOnline

Published: 13:09 EST, 4 September 2014 | Updated: 13:40 EST, 4 September 2014

A Michigan man was on his way to pick up his two young children from school when he was shot dead in what police believe was a road-rage attack.

Derek Flemming, 43, and his wife Amy Flemming had just had lunch together and were driving along Grand River Ave in Genoa Township to pick up their children after the first day back at school Tuesday when they encountered Martin Edward Zale, 69, in his 2012 Dodge pickup.

Minutes later, Derek Flemming was shot in the head by Zale, police say.

Victim: Derek Flemming, 43, was on his way to pick up his kids from school when he was shot in what police believe was a road rage incident

Victim: Derek Flemming, 43, was on his way to pick up his kids from school when he was shot in what police believe was a road rage incident

School run: Flemming was on his way to pick up his two kids, aged five and seven, from school with his wife when the attack happened

School run: Flemming was on his way to pick up his two kids, aged five and seven, from school with his wife when the attack happened

A representative for the Flemming family, attorney William Moore, says Zale was 'screaming down a side street' so fast that Amy Flemming believed he was going to hit their 2014 Ford Escape.

He told the the Detroit Free Press that Zale then tailgated the couple, then as they tried to pull to the right to let him pass, he passed them in the right lane, forcing them to jerk back into the left. Amy Flemming told Moore that Zale then pulled in front of the couple and slammed on his brakes.

When both cars pulled up at a set of traffic lights on Grand River at Chilson, Derek Flemming got out of his vehicle and approached Zale's window.

'What's your problem?' multiple witnesses report Flemming asked Zale.

A loud argument ensued, witnesses told WXYZ, but it doesn't appear there was any physical contact between the men.

Zale then wound down his window and shot Flemming once in the head.

'His wife was forced to witness this act from the front seat of her car,' Moore said in a statement on behalf of the family.

Broad daylight: Flemming was allegedly shot by Martin Zale, 69, at 3:35pm in full view of many witnesses

Broad daylight: Flemming was allegedly shot by Martin Zale, 69, at 3:35pm in full view of many witnesses

'Shock and extreme grief': Amy Flemming witnessed her husband's shooting as the couple went to pick up their children from the first day back at school

'Shock and extreme grief': Amy Flemming witnessed her husband's shooting as the couple went to pick up their children from the first day back at school

'This man shot an unarmed man in broad daylight with multiple witnesses, including Ms. Flemming. He needs to be removed from our community and locked behind bars.'

Witness Jenna St Clair told WXYZ that Amy Flemming was on the ground next to her stricken husband, begging him to live.

'She said, "You've got to stay! You've got to stay alive. Stay alive for your kids. We need you, we need you!"' said St. Clair.

Alleged killer Zale reportedly stood calmly by his car waiting for police to arrive after the shooting.

Calls to 911 came thick and fast from people who had witnessed the altercation, which happened around 3:35pm.

One 911 caller said she 'heard a large pop and somebody screaming.'

'Mrs. Flemming is overcome with many emotions, but primarily shock and extreme grief. In addition, her young children are asking where their father is,' the statement from Moore says.

WXYZ reports that neither man had any criminal record.

Flemming owned his own small landscaping business.

It's unclear if Zale had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

 

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