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Armed man fatally shot by bailiff may have been suffering mental crisis
A man was shot and killed by a 36th District Court bailiff serving an eviction notice Friday.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - A Wayne County bailiff fatally shot an armed man suffering a suspected mental health crisis Friday, Detroit police said.
The bailiff with Detroit police was presenting eviction paperwork in the 1700 block of Manderson nesr Whitmore when the victim allegedly attacked them with a weapon leading to the shooting.
Law enforcement forced entry into the home and discovered the man sitting on a bed armed with a weapon, DPD Capt. Phillip Rodriguez said. Negotiations went on for 10 minutes and the Mental Health Unit was notified and on their way when the confrontation happened.
"The individual became more aggressive with the officers, and we had to deploy our tasers to try to control the situation," he said. "That deployment did not take effect. The individual became more aggressive and charged at the bailiff, and the bailiff discharged his weapon, striking the individual. "
The man died from his injuries at the hospital. Rodriguez would not specify the weapon the man had, citing "the integrity of the investigation."
We’re told the tenant lived alone and had been a long-time resident. But even those who knew him say law enforcement was in a tough position.
"'What do you expect they got to defend themselves," said a neighbor who knew the victim. "I’m deeply hurt the brothers gone… because I genuinely liked him."
The DPD Homicide Task Force is now investigating.
"The officers that I spoke to said that he appeared to have a mental health crisis, and they had summoned our mental health unit to assist them," Rodriguez said.
Hilary Gholston, FOX 2: "You said he had a long history ..."
"Of mental illness," a neighbor said. "I’ll say this emphatically - mental illness is a serious problem in the Black community."
36th DIstrict Court Judge Melanie Barbaza released a statement about the shooting.
"The Court offers its support to the individuals involved and their families. We await further information from the Detroit Police Department as they work to uncover the details in this matter."
Photo by Hilary Golston