1 Killed In Police Shooting After Detroit Officer Is Dragged During Traffic Stop: Police

DETROIT — A man was killed Wednesday night in a Detroit Police shooting after an officer was injured during a traffic stop, according to Detroit Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald said officers stopped a car for failing to use a turn signal at a light at 10:15 p.m. near the Southfield Freeway service drive and Fenkell Avenue in Detroit.

Officers learned the driver did not have a license and asked him to step out of the car, but the driver refused and tried to pull away, Fitzgerald said.

The officer "instinctively" placed his leg in the vehicle and tried stepping on the brake, but was dragged roughly 20 yards, Fitzgerald said.

The officer's partner tried to tase the driver, but his taser didn't work, Fitzgerald said.

The driver then put the car into reverse and continued dragging the officer, Fitzgerald said.

Fearing for his life, the officer fired two shots, which one struck the driver in the upper chest, Fitzgerald said.

The driver was taken to a nearby hospital where he died, Fitzgerald said.

The officer who was dragged in the incident was also taken to the hospital, but is expected to recover, Fitzgerald said.

A passenger inside the car was arrested in connection to the shooting, but later released, police said.

Officers also found a Glock with an extended magazine and a Glock switch under the floorboard inside the car, Fitzgerald said.

The gun was not used in the incident, but it could have fired multiple rounds quickly, Fitzgerald said.

Officers also found a large amount of narcotics including oxycodone, crack cocaine, ecstasy, promethazine, marijuana, a scale and cash inside the car, police said.

Investigators learned that the driver was out on bond for felony receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle and felony carrying a concealed weapon. As part of his bond conditions, he was not allowed to have a weapon, police said.

Investigators will review area surveillance and body-camera footage in connection to the shooting, Fitzgerald said.

No further information was released by police.

Police were still investigating the shooting.