Monroe police shooting suspect Simba Lion in critical condition

Tyler Eagle | Monroe News

Show Caption Hide Caption 2 police officers in Monroe, Michigan shot and wounded at apartment Two police officers were shot and wounded as they investigated a reported assault at an apartment complex in southeastern Michigan.

Simba Lion, the man Michigan State Police of the Monroe Post identified as a suspect in the shooting of two Monroe police officers, remains in critical condition at the Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo.

Lion, a 40-year-old Monroe resident, who is originally from Oakland County and spent time in Georgia, has life-threatening injuries, which were the result of multiple gunshots he suffered when the two officers returned fire, according to police.

Lt. Brian Oleksyk said Lion has not been able to speak to investigators because of his condition, therefore any charges to be filed are pending.

“As of right now, he is not under arrest,” Oleksyk said. “He’s a suspect. We want to get his side of the story.”

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The officers, whom officials have yet to identify, were released Tuesday afternoon after seeking treatment for gunshot wounds to their legs.

The incident, which began about 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Washington Arms apartments, 725 Washington St., stemmed from an alleged dispute between Lion and a maintenance worker at the complex over the use of pesticides.

Officers responded to two 911 calls that were made regarding an assault complaint. As officers attempted to contact Lion, he fired at them, striking them in the legs. Officers returned fire, striking Lion multiple times.

Lion, according to legal documents, was born Steven Joseph Hopps, in Oakland County. He initiated a petition to change his name to Simba Lion on Nov. 3, 2015, in the Superior Court of Athens/Clarke County, Georgia.

In the petition, Lion indicated both of his parents are deceased and he does not maintain relationships with extended family. He also said he had been using the name Simba Lion for 21 years.

The order was granted Jan. 6, 2016, according to court records.

In screen shots of Facebook forums obtained by The Monroe News, a person identifying himself as Simba Lion indicated he was allegedly in the middle of a dispute with Beal Properties, which manages his apartment building.

Beal Properties lists several apartments at Washington Arms as being managed by the company. Attempts by The Monroe News to contact a representative of the company were unsuccessful.

Those conversations also show Lion was involved in the Furry community, a subculture that idolizes anthropomorphic animals, essentially animals depicted with human characteristics. Often called Furries, the community sometimes dresses up as animals and gathers at social events.

When confronted by the landlord and police, Lion was wearing a holster, which held his sidearm. It could not be determined if Lion had a concealed pistol license. However, during the confrontation with police, he allegedly made reference that he had a legal license to carry that he obtained in Georgia.

It was not clear how long Lion had been in Monroe or why he chose to live here.