DETROIT – Federal Judge Terrence Berg underwent surgery Friday morning for a gunshot wound he suffered in a robbery attempt Thursday night.
The shooting happened about 9:10 p.m. in front of Berg's home in the city's University District.
Detroit police said two men approached Berg as he was taking out the trash. They tried to force Berg back into his home and when he resisted, a struggle ensued and a shot was fired, striking Berg in the right thigh.
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The two men, likely in their late teens to early 20s, fled the area in a dark-colored sedan, possibly a black Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger.
Police rushed Berg to Sinai-Grace Hospital. He and members of his family are under federal protection.
Federal agents went door-to-door looking for witnesses and information.
Berg was nominated by President Barack Obama in April 2012 to serve as judge on the U.S. District Court, according to the University District Community Association.
Berg became an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan in 1989. He headed the Michigan attorney general's high-tech crime unit from 1999 to 2003 and served as Detroit's interim U.S. attorney from 2008 to 2010.
Berg also worked in the U.S. Justice Department's Professional Misconduct Review Unit.
The FBI is working on the case in conjunction with U.S. Marshals since this is an assault on a federal officer. They are also meeting with the Detroit Police Department about the incident.
Late Friday afternoon, Judge Berg's wife, Anita Sevier, released this statement:
"Thank you all for the outpouring of support during this difficult time. I want you all to know that Terry's stabilization surgery was successful and he is doing well. He will need additional surgery for the repairs. He is currently in good condition and recovering.
While this was a horrible incident that happened in Detroit, I don't want it used as a reason to hate the City. Instead, we need to do something positive for the youth to help show them that there are better paths to take. I strongly recommend people be part of the solution."