Man Gets Probation In Fatal Shooting Of Detroit Police Officer

GARDEN CITY, MI — A Garden City man who was charged in the fatal shooting of a Detroit police officer will not spend any time in prison, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Elaine Williams, 34, was found shot to death inside a Garden City home on the 200 block of Belton Street at 11:45 p.m. on June 2, 2019, according to the prosecutor's office.

Officers also found eight .40 caliber shell casings near Williams' body inside the home, according to the prosecutor's office.

Investigators determined the rounds were fired from a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol, which was issued to Williams as part of her employment as a sergeant with the Detroit Police Department, according to the prosecutor's office.

Officers also found Eddie Johnson, who was then 35, outside the home suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, according to the prosecutor's office.

Johnson was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his wound, according to the prosecutor's office.

Johnson told investigators after his surgery that he shot Williams during a struggle after she shot him one time, according to the prosecutor's office.

Toxicology reports showed both Johnson and Williams were drunk at the time of the shooting, according to the prosecutor's office.

Johnson was initially charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing. However, Johnson was offered a plea reduction on May 10, and he entered a no-contest plea to manslaughter.

As part of the plea, he will serve a three-year probation sentence, according to the prosecutor's office.

If Johnson violates any part of his probation, he could be sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to the prosecutor's office.

"I take all domestic violence cases very seriously. I also take my role as Prosecutor very seriously. The evidence was carefully considered by three veteran assistant prosecutors and myself. In this case, where both parties were shot with the same gun, the order of events is open to multiple interpretations. Considering our burden of proof, we believe this is an appropriate resolution. The decision to offer this plea to this defendant was not what we wanted to do, but it was the just thing to do," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.