ROSEVILLE (WWJ) - Authorities in Macomb County have released body cam footage taken from an officer who was dispatched to assist with an intense car crash involving a semi, but ended up firing upon and killing a man holding a knife, police announced on Wednesday.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Jon Hewitt reported the Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, along with Roseville Police Chief Ryan Monroe, said they released the video in an effort to remain transparent about the shooting death of Frank Robles.
“There’s a lot of things I could say up here as an armchair quarterback, but let’s just be honest; we have the luxury of reviewing this whole thing from our office," Wickersham said of the situation during a press conference. "It’s a whole different environment being out there and being confronted and having to make these types of decisions in a split second."
The events leading up to the shooting started with an early morning car crash on Tuesday when a silver Chevy Silverado crossed over the centerline on Groesbeck Highway, between 12 Mile and Martin Roads, and smashed head-on with a semi truck, police said.
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Witnesses to the crash tried to assist the driver of the Chevy pick-up truck — who was later identified as Robles — but as they approached, they saw he was bleeding from cuts to his wrists and was holding a knife.
Witnesses backed away and immediately called police to report the incident.
When officers arrived on-scene, they found Robles had gotten out of his vehicle and was standing in the middle of the road with the knife.
Officers asked him if he was ok, and he told them no.
Authorities said Robles refused to comply with repeated demands to drop the knife and started walking toward a police officer as they attempted to retreat.
The officer fired several rounds, which knocked Robles to the ground.
Police said Robles attempted to get back on his feet with the knife still in his hands and the officer fired several more shots, which prevented him from advancing any further.
Body cam footage shows police fired nine shots total with five fired after Robles hit the ground.
He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.
“This is a tragic event for those officers that were involved," Wickersham said. "A tragic event for Mr. Robles' family, a tragic event for the truck driver and witnesses that were in the area during this incident.”
Roseville Police Chief Ryan Monroe joined the sheriff at Wednesday's press conference and assured the public they fully investigate the encounter from all angles.
“Our goal is to determine if the officer’s actions are in compliance with state and federal law and also the policies and procedures of the Roseville Police Department," Monroe said.
"After our investigation is complete we will review it with members of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office."
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting could take up to two weeks and the officers involved have been placed on paid leave.
When asked if the outcome could've been different, Wickersham said it wasn't for him to comment on what officers should or should not have done.
"You’ve seen what transpired…" he said. "A lot of other bad things could've happened if actions weren’t taken."
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