DETROIT (WWJ) - The Wayne County Prosecutor has announced charges against a Detroit police officer they said killed a man in September.
Authorities said on Sept. 1, 911 was called because 71-year-old Daryl Vance, of Detroit, was allegedly “disorderly” in front of a bowling alley in the 4100 block of Woodward Avenue.
Detroit Police Officer Juwan Marquise-Alexander Brown, 29, was sent to the location.
Authorities say a verbal confrontation between Brown and Vance allegedly escalated, and Brown punched Vance in the face. The punch caused Vance to fall, hitting his head on the pavement.
Vance was transported to a local hospital by paramedics. Vance was pronounced dead on Sept. 21, authorities said.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner found that Vance’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to his head from the punch, officials said.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said that Brown has been charged with manslaughter, which is a 15-year felony.
“Police officers frequently deal with citizens who are disorderly and verbally unpleasant,” Worthy said. “But the evidence in this case shows that the officer allegedly was the aggressor, and his actions went criminally beyond what was necessary in this situation. This behavior cannot be tolerated from our law enforcement.”
The Detroit Police Department said that Brown has been fired but he is appealing that decision. He is currently on unpaid leave.
“Mr. Brown has been terminated from the Detroit Police Department as a result of his actions on September 1, 2023,” the DPD said in a statement. “However, Mr. Brown is exercising his contractual right to appeal the termination decision. During the pendency of an appeal, if sought, Mr. Brown will remain off DPD payroll and will not possess any law enforcement authority. The DPD thanks the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for their work on this matter. The DPD will cooperate fully with Prosecutor Worthy’s efforts toward obtaining a conviction for the charged offenses.”
Brown is expected to be arraigned on Dec. 20 in 36th District Court.