DEARBORN (WWJ) -- Michigan State Police released new details regarding a bizarre chain of events that took place in Dearborn on Sunday afternoon -- starting with a brief police chase, a car crash and gunfire, and ending with the body of a 31-year-old woman found in car's trunk.
As of Sunday night, it was known only that Dearborn Police attempted to stop a vehicle wanted in an endangered missing person case. The car fled and crashed near Tireman and Wyoming. Police approached, and shots were fired by both parties. Afterwards, the driver was dead, the passenger injured and unidentified human remains were found in the trunk.
Due to the lack of clarity surrounding the gunshot that killed the driver and the need for discretion in the endangered missing person case, no further details were released Sunday night.
Around 10:30 a.m. Monday morning, MSP provided an update via Twitter, filling in many of the blanks in this curious incident, which is being investigated by both MSP and the Detroit Police Department's Homicide Task Force (HTF).
The suspected vehicle in question was a black 2020 Dodge SRT with Tennessee plates. It had been flagged in an endangered missing person investigation out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Dearborn Police initially received an alert that the vehicle had been spotted on Warren Ave, near Greenfield.
Officers responded to the location and approached the Dodge, only for the driver to speed off. Police attempted to pursue the suspect but lost sight of the vehicle.
A short time later, law enforcement found the Dodge crashed into a residence on Normile St., near Tireman. According to MSP, officers were approaching the crash site on foot and giving verbal commands when they heard a gunshot and fired rounds of their own in response, ending the confrontation.
Details about the vehicle's occupants were also released by MSP.
The driver was a 36-year-old woman who had a single gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. She has since been identified as Dominique Hardwick of Lebanon, Tennessee.
MSP officials announce Monday evening she had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Her passenger was a 34-year-old woman. She was detained and is currently at a local hospital being treated for injuries sustained in the crash. Her name has not been released.
Found in the trunk of the Dodge was the body of 31-year-old Elena Kassi, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Officials said she appeared to have trauma from a source other than the crash. She was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Police also recovered a 9mm Glock pistol from the vehicle.
This remains an ongoing investigation. MSP says they are working with Murfreesboro Police Detectives, gathering evidence, executing search warrants and interviewing witnesses. More information will be released as it becomes available.
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