DETROIT (WXYZ) — A large protest broke out at the scene where a man with suspected ties to a Detroit gang was fatally shot by police after officers say he opened fire.
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Hours later Chief James Craig spoke with the media about what led up to the shooting and showed bodycam footage that showed the suspect confronting and then opening fire on police.
Police came to West McNichols and San Juan just after 12:30 this afternoon, investigating a shooting from a block party shooting over the July 4th weekend that left three dead and five injured. DPD believes the shooting was gang-related.
While surveilling the area, officers say they saw a man with an outstanding narcotics warrant sitting in a vehicle. As they prepared to arrest him, another man began to approach officers and opened fire.
“He began to fire a number of rounds at the officer over his shoulder,” said Chief James Craig. “As that was occurring, the officer pushed him away, and that’s when the additional officers, fearing for their life, the fact that he was actively shooting, they fired several rounds striking that suspect.”
The suspect was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The man officers were initially trying to arrest was taken into custody without incident. Police have not released his name.
Protests took place at the scene of the shooting Friday evening.
Officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, pending the results of an investigation.
The shooting comes as crime in Detroit continues to surge.
Criminal homicides are up 31% since last year, and non-fatal shootings have soared by 53%.
