Eric Pierson

A Solon Township man could face up to life in prison after he pulled a knife on a man and used a racial slur during the confrontation.

Eric Scott Pierson, 50, reportedly approached a black male inside Huck’s Corners, at the corner of 17 Mile and White Creek in Solon Township, on December 30, called him “dark chocolate” and asked him how he was doing. The man ignored Pierson, which police said upset the suspect. He then pulled out a knife and threatened the victim with it.

The store owner separated them, and the victim left. When he returned a short time later to continue his shopping, Pierson approached him with a knife and used a racial slur, saying “This (slur) isn’t supposed to be here. This is our town.”

The victim, who had a permit for a concealed weapon, then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at Pierson and told him to get away. The store owner intervened again and Dorma left the shop.

Pierson turned himself into police on Saturday, February 4. He is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, felonious assault with a dangerous weapon, ethnic intimidation, and habitual offender, 4th offense. He has been convicted of three previous felonies, and if convicted of the concealed weapon charge, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Pierson has a preliminary hearing February 10 at 9:45 a.m. with Judge Sara Smolenski in 63rd District Court.