Detroit School Officer Dies After Trying To Stop Fight: Officials

DETROIT — A Detroit Public Schools officer died Thursday after trying to break up a fight near Henry Ford High School in Detroit, school officials said.

Officer Freddie Wilson was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died Thursday evening after intervening in a large gathering, attempting to stop a large fight in the area of Vaughan Street and Trojan Avenue, school officials said.

Officials did not say what happened to Wilson during the altercation, but are working to determine the cause of his death. Detroit Police said homicide investigators are assisting school officials with the investigation.

A Detroit Public Schools spokesperson told Fox 2 News that investigators collected a large log as evidence from the scene.

"It was at least probably 3 and a half to 4 feet long — probably about 5 inches or 4 inches diameter," a neighbor told the news station. "It was a pretty heavy piece of wood."

Detroit Public School District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said school officials are sadden by the sudden death of Wilson.

"Officer Wilson devoted more than 20 years with DPSCD. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Wilson Family," Vitti said.

This is a developing story. Stay with Patch for updates