DETROIT (WWJ) – An internal investigation is ongoing after Detroit police shot and killed a man armed with a knife and experiencing a mental health crisis early Sunday morning on the city’s west side.
Police responded to the area of Snowden and Lyndon near Schaefer and Fenkell around 5 a.m. Sunday after a family member called police to report his brother, 20-year-old Porter Burks, was walking the neighborhood with a knife after slashing his brother’s tires.
After a Crisis Intervention Team member and several other officers found Burks walking in the middle of a street, they attempted to get him to put the knife down so they could get him help.
Body camera footage shown at a press conference Tuesday afternoon shows the interaction between officers and Burks, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia. After several minutes of trying to get him to drop the knife and assuring him that he wasn’t in trouble, Burks began running at officers.
Detroit police officials said Tuesday five officers fired a total of 38 shots over the span of three seconds after deploying a Taser at Burks as he was “in a dead sprint” towards them. While multiple investigations into the incident are still ongoing, officials believe Burks was hit 15 times.
Chief James White, speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, called the shooting “tragic” and emphasized the need for better mental health care in the city and throughout the country. While the chief said “this is not what we wanted,” he said the officers at the scene had no choice but to use deadly force.
“This is not what we wanted, the officers were trying to negotiate with him and without provocation, he charged the officer with a knife in-hand, gaining ground on him very quickly and in fear of their life, they fired their weapons to stop the threat,” White said.
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Five officers have been placed on administrative leave until an internal investigation is completed. The internal investigation is running parallel to a criminal investigation by Michigan State Police.
White said the officers’ names will not be released until the investigative process is completed over the next several days and weeks.
The chief said the officers successfully followed crisis intervention training and attempted to end the situation peacefully, but had to use their weapons when they feared for their lives.
When asked whether 38 shots was too many, White said "I don't take light of the fact that we had to use fatal force." He said the officers followed their crisis intervention training and had to assess and stop the threat in a short period of time.
Burks had been involved in multiple violent incidents since March 2020, according to police officials. He allegedly stabbed a sister in the neck and hand, then a brother who tried to protect her in March 2020. He also stabbed a 7-year-old stepsister in the neck in August 2020.
On June 26, 2022 Burks was admitted to Sinai Grace Hospital after police got a report that he was walking up and down the street “looking to fight anyone.” Officials said he escaped from the psychiatric ward and was running in traffic on McNichols Road in his hospital garb. Burks allegedly assaulted a police officer who tried to detain him.
After that incident, he was brought back to the hospital. Officials are still investigating, but it appears he was released from the hospital and he had an active warrant out for his arrest.
“This is a system that has failed Burks and his family," White said of the mental health system.
Devastated family members told WWJ's Ryan Marshall outside Detroit police headquarters they feel Burks was murdered and do not feel the department was telling the truth at Tuesday's press conference.
"We are hurting. This is devastating. They told us to our face they pulled the trigger and the Taser at the exact same time," said Michelle Wilson, Burks' aunt.
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