Family Of Roseville Man Killed By Police Files $10M Lawsuit

ROSEVILLE, MI — The family of a Roseville man who was fatally shot by police after a crash in April 2022 filed a $10 million lawsuit against the city of Roseville and the police department, claiming officers used excessive and unlawful deadly force.

Frank Robles, 57, was shot to death by officers after police said he refused to drop a 4-inch fish fillet knife while charging officers.

Moments before the fatal shooting, Robles was driving a Chevy Silverado on southbound Groesbeck Avenue between 12 Mile and Martin roads, north of Interstate 696, when he crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed nearly head-on with a semi truck.

Lawsuit

The lawsuit claims Robles was "dazed and disoriented" from the crash and wasn't given time to react to the orders before being shot. After Robles hit the ground, the lawsuit claims officer Chad Lee fired several more rounds, one of which struck Robles in the head.

Robles was taken to St. John Ascension Hospital in Detroit, where he died, officials said.

Attorney A. Vince Colella said witnesses and officers' bodycam video showed Robles posed no "real" danger to officers.

"This was a senseless, baseless killing, and it’s inconceivable that this officer believed it was lawful to shoot a man in the head after he was clearly incapacitated from the first rounds of gunfire," Colella said.

Colella added that police officers have to be fully trained in the use of tasers and use less-lethal options of restraint before resorting to deadly force, especially after the victim has just had a traumatic experience.

"As a community, we cannot tolerate police officers killing people who are suffering from the post-traumatic stress of an automobile accident or other serious incident," Colella said. "The family demands that the Michigan State Police and the Office of the Attorney General investigate this matter."

Shooting

After the crash, witnesses told officials that Robles pulled out a knife as they went to check on him following the collision. Witnesses also told officials that both of his wrists were cut.

When officers arrived at the scene at 6:20 a.m., they found Robles in the roadway holding the knife, officials said. Officers asked Robles if he was ok, and he told officers he wasn't, officials said.

Officers told Robles to drop the knife, but instead, he started moving toward the officers, officials said. After repeatedly demanding Robles to stop and drop the knife, an officer shot him, causing Robles to fall down, officials said.

As Robles tried to get back up while still holding the knife, an officer shot him numerous times, officials said. Robles was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died, officials said.

Macomb County authorities believe nine shots were fired by the officer. Both officers involved in the shooting were on paid leave while the investigation continues. Their names were not released by officials. No officers were injured in the shooting, officials said.

No Charges Against Officers

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting determined no charges in connection to the shooting would be filed against Lee.

Officials said Lee fired shots at Robles, who refused to drop a 4-inch knife he was holding while he "advanced toward" Lee, who was "retreating from" him.

After the shots knocked Robles to the ground, Robles tried to get up still holding the knife, and Lee fired several more shots to keep Robles from advancing any farther, officials said.

A second Roseville officer also ordered Robles to drop the knife, but he did not comply, officials said. She never fired any shot, officials said.