Arrest Made In Connection To Slain Detroit Neurosurgeon: Police

DETROIT — An individual was arrested in connection to the shooting death of a Detroit neurosurgeon on an unrelated charge, Detroit Police Chief James White said Friday.

White did not detail the person of interest's role in the shooting, other than saying the person and 53-year-old Dr. Devon Hoover knew each other.

Police still have not released a motive for the shooting, and few details have been released in the shooting.

"We're actively questioning the person of interest, and we're confident he knows something," White said. "We believe the victim and the killer knew each other. This is not random, and the community is not at risk. There's a family that's grieving, however, and I'd like to extend my condolences to them."

Officers found Hoover's body wrapped in a sheet in the attic of his Boston-Edison neighborhood home with multiple gunshot wounds to the head on April 23. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office determined Hoover's death was a homicide.

Police are now also investigating a break-in at Hoover's home, located on the 100 block of W. Boston Boulevard, near Woodward Ave.

Police said someone entered through the back window of the home late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Police do not know if anything was vandalized or taken from the home.

No arrest has been made in connection to the break-in, police said.

Family and friends gathered Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit for Hoover's funeral.

Nearly 2,000 people have joined a Facebook group titled "Justice for Dr. Devon Hoover," where mostly former patients credited the doctor for successful back and neck surgeries.

Hoover was a certified neurosurgeon at Ascension St. John with a special interest in neck and back disorders.