Detroit cop shot in firefight after police chase

A Detroit Police officer was shot Monday morning after he exchanged gunfire with a suspect who attempted to flee the scene in what started as a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle.

"It was certainly a firefight," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig at a news conference at the scene of the shooting. "The suspect engaged our officers, and they responded. They feared for their life, and they responded."

The chase began around 10:15 a.m. at Casino and Sanilac on the city's east side when officers received a call to investigate what was believed to be a stolen vehicle, Detroit Police said.

"The officers arrived on scene, there were two occupants, a male and a female," said Sgt. Michael Woody. "The female got out and ran. The male was the sole occupant in the vehicle and the officers tried to get him to come out of the vehicle, at which point they observed him possibly tucking a weapon into the side of the seat. They continued investigation and he said some things, allegedly, and fled the scene."

The officers chased the vehicle, Woody said, which fled at a high rate of speed. The chase ended at McCormack and the I-94 service drive.

"The suspect then bailed and ran into a backyard at which point he turned and fired shots at the officers," Woody said. "The officers did return fire, striking the suspect multiple times."

Both the suspect and an officer who was shot in the leg are in serious condition at St. John Hospital, Woody said. The officer, who has been on the force for seven years, is in the special operations division at the 9th Precinct, Woody said. Craig said he was "very thankful" the outcome wasn't worse.

Another officer may also have been shot or grazed with a bullet, but Woody said police could not confirm that yet.

The woman who ran from the vehicle was found in a park nearby and was taken into police custody, Woody said, adding that the suspect's gun was recovered at the scene in the backyard of the home.

Several neighbors stood outside and watched as investigators combed the area for evidence. Multiple streets were blocked off by police who responded to the scene. Detroit resident Yolanda Johnson said she lives close to where the shooting happened and she heard multiple gunshots.

"All I heard was a bunch of gunshots," Johnson, 21, said. "It's usually very quiet over here. I saw cops flying down Moross and I heard helicopters overhead. That's not something you see every day."

Contact Katrease Stafford: 313-223-4759 or kstafford@freepress.com.