DETROIT (WWJ) - It was a close call for Detroit Police officers when a barricaded gunman fired shots into a police cruiser overnight.
The incident happened just after 1 a.m. Monday when a family member called the Detroit Police Department (DPD) about another who was having a mental health crisis in Southwest Detroit. As the situation unfolded, shots were allegedly fired inside the location on Homer Street, west of Lawndale.
Once authorities responded, they encountered the suspect and he took a shot at DPD officers. Deputy Police Chief Franklin Hayes said he is very thankful the officers are alive, as the bullet missed them, hit the windshield of the police cruiser and went through the center of the seat.
"We are grateful this outcome came out as it did," Deputy Chief Hayes said. "Because it could have been a lot worse."
Following that gunfire, the officers pulled back and contacted the Special Response Team.
"The officers made the right decision to pull back, tactically retreat, and notify our Special Response Team and ultimately, our barricaded person's phone call was enacted," Hayes explained.
"From that, information from the police department, our crisis negotiations team, our CIT trained officers, our partners from EMS and the fire department, who played a crucial role in bringing this matter to a peaceful resolution."
Police said another shot was fired inside the home and a family member was injured. The family members were then extracted using a ladder in a second story window. The injured individual was treated by EMS and it was discovered they were not shot, but suffered a scrape.
Police say negotiators convinced the suspect to surrender about two-and-a-half hours after the situation started.
The standoff came to a peaceful end around 3:30 a.m.
The suspect is currently in custody.
Deputy Chief Hayes thanks the community for their understanding throughout this ordeal as the DPD was able to make the situation safe for everyone who was on scene.
