Crime & Safety
Off-Duty Detroit Police Officer Shot, Suspect Killed: Video
The officer was the ninth Detroit police officer either shot or killed since September. "Enough is enough," police chief James Craig says.
DETROIT, MI — An off-duty Detroit police officer was critically wounded and a suspect who was trying to rob him outside a liquor store on the city’s east side was killed, Police Chief James Craig said. The officer, who has been on the job for about a year, was the ninth Detroit police officer either shot or killed since September.
“Enough is enough,” Craig said in a news conference near the scene of the shooting outside Motor City Liquor on Gratiot Avenue just west of Chene Street. “It needs to stop.”
The injured officer, 27, had just made a purchase at the liquor store around 11 p.m. when he was approached by the suspect, who had his gun drawn, Craig said, according to a Facebook Live video. “The suspect ran toward the officer with his arm extended, holding a gun,” Craig said. “The officer, fearing for his life, fired shots and killed the suspect.”
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The officer, whose name hasn’t been released, was shot twice, once in the mid-torso and once in the foot, Craig said. He was assigned to the Seventh Precinct.
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Police are searching for a second suspect who pulled up after the shooting, approached the first suspect, touched him and took his gun, Craig said. The second suspect also approached the downed police officer, and “it appeared he may have taken his gun as well,” Craig said.
The second suspect is a black male, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall. He was driving a dark-colored sedan, but police don’t have a license plate number.
Craig said the police officer acted appropriately.
“Our officers are coming out academy are well-trained, and act appropriately in crisis situations. He appropriately responded when faced with a threat to his life,” Craig said.
Image via Associated Press video
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