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Over the span of 24 hours, Detroit Police officers on the street of the Motor City were targeted by armed civilians. The Chief of Police says if not for a jammed weapon, the shooter may have killed the officers.
Detroit Police exchanged gunfire early Thursday morning in the 19700 block of Hull Street. They were called to investigate a car left running in the middle of the street when suddenly - someone started shooting.
The shooter was identified as 45-year-old man. He was sitting on the porch of a home when he started shooting at them. Chief James Craig said officer immediately fired back.
"The officers and the suspect were in a gun battle. A fierce gun battle. The thing that may have saved our officers is the fact the suspect's gun jammed," Craig said.
Assistant Police Chief Stephen Dolunt said officers across the country are under attack at random.
"Keep us in your prayers. Seems like we're under attack nationwide," Dolunt said. "He wasn't even the focus of the investigation. He just came out of the shadows and started shooting at us."
The officers weren't hit by any gunfire from the shooter. He ran off but was soon found with six gunshot wounds to his face, chest, shoulder, and leg. He was last listed in critical condition.
Neighbors said they're become too familiar with gun violence.
"I just covered my wife up. You hear gunfire all your life. You just have to keep protecting yourself and moving on," a neighbor said.
The attack on police comes the same day Wayne State officer Collin Rose is buried after being shot in the head last week. It also happened just one day after Detroit police near 8 Mile and John R. were shot at by a suspect armed with an AR-15.
Investigators shared images from surveillance cameras of a man who Chief Craig says fired those shots at a police cruisers. Police have the gun but say they're looking for an older model four door Chrysler.
The officers were not responding to any call for help, just on patrol in the neighborhood that is known for drug activity.
"I've said it. An attack on police officers is an attack on all of us. So when will it stop, when we will stand together and say this must end," Craig said.