Suspect shoots Detroit police officer after taking his gun during struggle
Detroit police chief calls injured officer a 'hero'
An officer was struck in the hand after an individual suffering a mental episode spurred a call for police assistance. While pursuing the individual, both the suspect and the officer began to struggle on a porch. At one point, the suspect got ahold of the officer's gun and shot him in hand. He was later taken into custody.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - A Detroit police officer was shot with his own gun Wednesday morning on the city's west side.
According to Detroit Police Chief James White, officers responded to the 1200 block of Linwood around 8:15 a.m. on reports of a man who was in the midst of an apparent mental health crisis, acting erratically and jumping on vehicles while wearing only his underwear. When officers arrived, the man was gone.
Police spent extra time patrolling the area, and around 10 a.m. an officer spotted the man, who was still in his underwear, at a Valero gas station. When approached, the man ran away.
The officer chased the man several blocks to the 2400 block of Highland, where he went on a porch. White said that the officer, who was alone, chose to engage the man because he feared he may enter a stranger's home.
There was a struggle between the officer and suspect on the porch, and the suspect was able to grab the officer's gun. During the struggle, the officer was shot in the hand. White said the suspect tried to shoot again, but the gun jammed.
"Our officer is an absolute hero," White said. "I could not be prouder of him for what he did."
The suspect then fled on foot. Other officers caught up with him and arrested him without further incident. He was taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation, while the officer was taken to a hospital for the gunshot wound he suffered.
"He's expected to make a full recovery, but he does have a bullet in him," White said.