MELVINDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) — The search for the suspect in the shooting of fallen Melvindale Police Department Officer Mohamed Said came to an end Monday evening.
A deputy Wayne County executive told reporters that the suspect, 44-year-old Michael Lopez, was captured alive in Southwest Detroit near Michigan Avenue and Otis Street.
A two-day manhunt for Lopez involved several law enforcement agencies including Michigan State Police, U.S. Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Watch videos of the arrest shared from nearby residents below:
Said was fatally shot on Sunday near a car wash in the area of Clarann Street and Oakwood Boulevard.
Officials said on Sunday that Said responded to the gas station to check out a group of people who were reportedly hanging around, and the suspect took off running. The Melvindale police chief said there was a struggle and that's when the officer was shot and "killed instantly."
Video: Hundreds gather to remember the life of fallen Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said
"It's a very hard situation ... this is something that should have never taken place," Police Chief Robert Kennaley said. "This is an officer who put his heart and soul into his job."
Officials said the investigation led them to a vacant home, where Lopez was found hiding on the porch. They don't believe he entered the home. It's unclear how long he was there.
The chief heard the arrest happen over the radio.
"I heard command say 'confirm, please. Confirm.' And they confirmed that's S1, so we got him. We got him," an emotional Kennaley said.
In honor of Said, his handcuffs were put on Lopez during the arrest. Video of the arrest shows Lopez winking at a person recording him as he was surrounded by dozens of law enforcement officers.
The chief told us using Said's handcuffs was important to them because they wanted him to be the one to make the arrest.
“It’s very much evil like it’s creepy. It's a very much evil smirk and he winked at the whole community. That's pretty devastating to us,” one person who lives near the arrest scene said.
Neighbors watched Lopez's arrest in disbelief.
"For him to be coming all the way over there to our street, it's kind of crazy," the resident told us. “Hopefully, he rots in jail because he took an innocent life, you know?”
Officials held a press conference earlier Monday. Melvindale Mayor Nicole Shkira told the community that Said was a dedicated police officer and hero.
Watch the press conference below:
"Today, we mourn the passing of a hero in our community, an officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for our safety," Shkira said. "We as a community will always honor the sacrifice he made protecting and serving our residents with unwavering courage and commitment to Melvindale."
"To officer Mo Said's family. friends and colleagues of our fallen officer, I offer my deepest condolences and unwavering support. Your loss is our loss and we stand with you in this time of grief and mourning. Please know that our entire community, the city of Melvindale, is with you and here for you."
Kennaley said the suspect had a criminal record. A $37,500 reward was offered for information on Lopez's location when he was on the run.
Anyone with information regarding this shooting can contact the Melvindale Police Department at 313-429-1070.
If you'd like to donate to Said's family, visit a verified GoFundMe page that has been set up for them.
