CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Officials with the Veterans and America First Foundation are speaking out after for their donation bins were vandalized.

The organization, based in Clinton Township, collects clothing donations through bins placed throughout metro Detroit to support veterans and others in need with clothes, food and housing.

Bins located on West Vernor Highway near Military Street in Detroit were among the latest to be hit.

Paul Dehem, director and founder of Veterans and America First Foundation, learned about the damage on Saturday after Aiman Kawas, who is in charge of servicing the bins, discovered they had been damaged.

Dehem said the vandalism occurred within a narrow window.

“It happened sometime between Wednesday and Friday,” Dehem said.

“It’s just disheartening,” Dehem said.

Kawas said the West Vernor Highway incident is far from isolated.

“I was disappointed, of course this is not our first time being vandalized,” Kawas said.

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“We have lost over 70 bins to vandalism or theft, the actual bin disappears… they take it completely,” Kawas said.

Jason Beddow, director of development for Veterans and America First Foundation, said each bin costs about $1,000 to replace.

“The vets are missing out on their charity and donations from those bins and it’s just a real shame,” Beddow said.

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Meanwhile, Dehem said he hopes those responsible will consider who is truly harmed by the destruction.

“We have a mission and it’s for the veterans,” Dehem said. “It’s not for profit, we’re just trying to make things work and help people.”

Anyone with information about who is vandalizing the bins, or surveillance video, is asked to contact Detroit police.

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A 17-year-old has been charged in a nonfatal ‘teen takeover’ shooting.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged 17‑year‑old Ramon Javon Perez Smith of Detroit in connection with the non‑fatal shooting of a 14‑year‑old Detroit male. Prosecutor Kym Worthy confirmed that Smith will be tried as an adult.

Smith is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of felony firearm.

He was arraigned Saturday and given a $500,000 cash bond, along with a GPS tether, house arrest, and an order barring contact with the victim or any witnesses. A bond re‑determination hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, before Judge McConico.

Another teen was also charged in the shooting that happened in downtown Detroit during the “teen takeover” event.

The preliminary hearing for a 16-year old from Detroit was held Tuesday on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. He received a $4,000 bond with house arrest.

He was also ordered not to possess any firearms or illegal substances. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 2.

More: Detroit Police see teen takeover defiance. Leader says he wants to help

More: Teen takeover in Detroit results in brawls, shooting. Sheffield responds

Detroit police were called to the 1300 block of Farmer Street around 9:37 p.m. on May 17, after reports of a shooting. Officers arrived to find the teenage victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medics transported him to a nearby hospital where he received emergency treatment and is expected to survive.

According to investigators, Smith was involved in a physical altercation with a group that included the victim. Prosecutors allege that Smith pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots into the group, hitting the 14‑year‑old before fleeing the scene. Detroit police arrested Smith shortly afterward.

“We are thankful that the 14‑year‑old victim received immediate medical care and will survive this traumatic event,” Prosecutor Worthy said in the release.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com