Crime & Safety

Detroit Officer Shot, Injured; Police Looking For Shooter: Cops

"We are encountering violence like we haven't seen," Detroit Police Chief James White said.

DETROIT — Police are looking for three people after an officer was shot early Friday morning on Detroit's east side.

Detroit Police Chief James White told reporters officers were searching an empty apartment building in the area of Morang and Whitehill streets at 12:15 a.m. after receiving an alert from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection technology.

As officers approached the building, three people walked out and fired a shot, striking an officer in the calf, White said. Officials said The officer was taken to a nearby hospital, but his condition was not known Friday morning.

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Two officers fired shots back toward the fleeing group, but police do not know if anyone was struck by the shots, White said.

Police said the shooter stands roughly 5 feet, 9 inches and wore his hair in dreadlocks.

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"We are encountering violence like we haven't seen," White said during the press conference. "Extreme violence and poor decision making."

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the Detroit Police Department at (313) 267-4600 or 911 in an emergency.

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