'Heavily Armed' Man Fatally Shot By Detroit Officers After Hourslong Standoff: Police

DETROIT — Detroit police fatally shot an armed man after hours of negotiations during a barricaded gunman situation Tuesday, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told reporters.

The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at a home in the 18400 block of Griggs Street in Detroit, Bettison said.

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The incident began earlier in the day at 9:57 a.m. at a BP Gas Station in the 700 block of East Warren where the 50-year-old man got into a fight with the store manager and clerk, Bettison said.

During the fight, the man released his pit bull-type dog to attack them, causing minor injuries, Bettison said.

The man fled the gas station before officers arrived, Bettison said.

Officers eventually found the man's home on Griggs Street where they were investigating a parked car just before noon, Bettison said.

While investigating, Bettison said officers heard sounds of a gun rack and saw the 50-year-old man enter the home.

Police set up a perimeter around the home and crisis negotiators began speaking to the man, Bettison said.

Police blocked street traffic and instructed nearby residents to shelter in place.

At 3:25 p.m., officers breached the home and found the man in the backyard with multiple firearms, including handguns, assault rifles and ammunition, Bettison said.

The man picked up an assault rifle and pointed it at officers, who opened fire, Bettison said.

The man also fired shots at officers before he was killed in the shootout, Bettison said.

No officers were injured in the shooting, Bettison said.

Police believe the man was having a mental health crisis after speaking with family members.

Bettison did not add any other details about the shooting, including officers' movements around the home or who fired first.

Police are still investigating the incident.

"I would just say to the community: If you see something, definitely notify authorities before it gets to that point. Let's try to get our folks help," Bettison said. "My thoughts, my prayers. You know, our officers did not wake up this morning wanting to do this."