Second suspect arrested after Detroit police officer dragged by car
DETROIT (FOX 2) - A second suspect was questioned by Detroit Police amid an ongoing investigation after a chaotic night on the city’s west side. A police officer was dragged by a car after seeing what some guys were up to.
The dragging of that officer, prompted their colleagues to open fire in the location of St. Mary Street near 7 Mile and Ashbury Park.
The parent of one of the suspects was watching the whole time, according to neighbors.
"She yelled and told them don’t shoot, and they shot 7-8 times," the neighbor said.
It all began with officers on patrol, checking out a car parked in a way that cops say looked suspicious, with questions about what was going on inside.
"Both occupants seem to be moving around quite a bit in the car," said Detroit Police Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald. "Looks like they were tucking something underneath the vehicle-underneath the seat. As the officers approached, they asked the occupants out of the vehicle, and they did not comply. The one officer attempted to open the door. That’s when the car backed into the car in the driveway and then backed, or pulled forward into our scout car."
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Detroit police officer hospitalized after being dragged; passenger turns self in
The second passenger turned himself into police at around 2 p.m. Wednesday, reports Jessica Dupnack.
Investigators say once the driver tried to turn, one officer got dragged, prompting two others to feel threatened.
"Fearing for their own safety, two officers did fire numerous rounds at the car. The car did flee, and we found the car a couple blocks over on Prevost. The officer was conveyed down to the hospital," said Fitzgerald.
That officer was rushed to the hospital. Police then found out someone else was shot several times a few blocks away. That person was also hospitalized in critical condition.
"At this point, we believe he was the occupant of the vehicle," said Fitzgerald.
Retired Assistant Detroit Police Chief Steve Dolunt has been dragged multiple times by suspects at dangerous traffic stops. He talks about the many thoughts racing through an officer’s mind when they decide to fire their gun to protect themselves and those around them.
"I reached in to turn off a car of a drunk driver, and it took off and dragged me down Michigan Avenue." said Dolunt. "You’re about to pull the trigger, like okay - if I shoot this person, what’s going to happen to me? Am I going to jail? Will I see my family again? Am I going to kill this individual and take their life ? Am I just going to injure them? Will this shot maybe deter them? Everything goes through your head, and you’ve got to do this in a matter of a couple seconds because you are being dragged down the street."
The case is still being investigated, but neighbors say it’s a situation that never should have gotten out of hand in an area that’s faced years of trauma.
"I’ve been over here 36 years, and I’ve seen a lot, but I just keep my doors and windows locked. We just got to take one day at a time and do the best we can," said the neighbor.
The officer that was dragged is in good condition.