PORT HURON, Mich. (WXYZ) — A domestic violence call in Port Huron escalated into a three-hour shooting spree Thursday evening, leaving one person dead and at least one family displaced.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report:
Port Huron police responded to a domestic violence call around 7:20 p.m. Thursday in the area of 26th Street and Nern Street on the city's south side. When officers arrived, they were met with gunfire from an 18-year-old suspect. St. Clair County Sheriff's Office assisted along with other agencies.
"We do believe that at some point he was aiming towards our officers," said Assistant Chief Jeremy Young of the Port Huron Police Department. ''They're trying to investigate and next thing you know, they're they're taking shots and they're running for cover. So things escalated very quickly."
Approximately 20 gunshots were fired over the course of about three hours. No officers were injured and none returned fire.
WEB EXTRA: Bodycam video of police responding in Port Huron
***Viewer caution contains strong language and violence***
The suspect, now identified by police as Taquan Henderson, forced his way into a neighboring apartment unit after the initial domestic incident.
"He actually kicked through the wall to be able to gain access into their apartment," said Vanessa Hollopeter, whose family lives in the neighboring complex where Henderson continued shooting.
Police say Henderson continued shooting blindly out a front window of the second apartment. Hollopeter's family ran out of their home but not before nearly being struck by gunfire.
"Our youngest cousin, who's eight, had just left about 20 minutes before this happened. And our other youngest cousin that lives there literally had one come inches within in her face," Hollopeter said through tears.
Neighbors were put on shelter in place until the shooting ended.
"We were terrified. You know, turned off all the lights," said Kathy Pearson, who lives nearby.
Police found Henderson hours later with a self-inflicted gunshot wound via drone. He was pronounced dead.
Hollopeter's family is now displaced and living in a hotel after their home became a crime scene. She says the incident affected the entire community. A fundraiser has now been set up to help the family into other housing and get family members into counseling.
"This was so unfortunate on just even a community level and the families that are involved. And I think everybody's still trying to process and everybody's emotions are high, but this was traumatizing," Hollopeter said.
Port Huron police are continuing to investigate.
_______________________
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
