A photo of John Villneff, 62, provided by his family.
Michael Villneff weeps after talking about his father's murder.
A look inside a home on Rutland Street where family members say a group of men entered and began to beat a 16-year-old boy.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
A 62-year-old Detroit grandfather was fatally shot while protecting his granddaughter from a group of men who broke into a home on the city's west side.
John Villneff's four grandchildren were playing video games inside his daughter's home on the 6000 block of Rutland Street around 11 p.m. Wednesday when the men barged in and began to pistol-whip a 16-year-old boy.
Three other children inside the home ran out next door to where Villneff lived. When he came out of his home, the assailants were fleeing the scene. But not before Villneff's 12-year-old granddaughter, who said she recognized some of the attackers, snapped several photos of them with her iPad.
Upon seeing this, one of the suspects fired several shots at the girl. But Villneff stepped in front of her, taking two bullets in the back. He died at the scene but not before calling his son to alert him of the attack.
"I didn't even get to tell him I loved him," said John's son Michael Villneff. "These cowardly, heartless, worthless people took a key person in our family away from us for nothing."
John's daughter Melissa says the iPad was turned over to police.
Villneff was a Marine veteran and awarded the Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.
Detroit police say the 16-year-old, who is going to be a senior at Dearborn Robichaud High School, is in stable condition at a local hospital.
A statement from police said a "male suspect" was in custody following tips from the public.
Family members say a fund will be set up to help pay for Villneff's funeral expenses. Once we receive the information, it will be posted here on myFOXDetroit.com.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:58 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:58:06 GMT
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:36:38 GMT
A pair of osprey that made a nest on a power pole in Berlin Township, near the Rockwood Landfill will be getting a new home thanks to crews from DTE Energy.
A pair of osprey that made a nest on a power pole in Berlin Township, near the Rockwood Landfill will be getting a new home thanks to crews from DTE Energy.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-05-13 15:43:11 GMT
Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets in front of the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn to bid farewell to 29-year-old Brian Woehlke, a Wayne-Westland firefighter killed last week in the line of duty.
Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets in front of the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn to bid farewell to 29-year-old Brian Woehlke, a Wayne-Westland firefighter who was killed while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall last week.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:43:15 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:35:00 GMT
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:29 GMT
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:06:34 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:54:16 GMT
Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
He once said there was no shame in his game, but now Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
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A photo of John Villneff, 62, provided by his family.
Michael Villneff weeps after talking about his father's murder.
A look inside a home on Rutland Street where family members say a group of men entered and began to beat a 16-year-old boy.
