DETROIT (WWJ) - An encounter between a Detroit police officer and an armed man turned deadly at a Detroit intersection on Friday after the man pointed a handgun at police and the officer open fired.
Detroit Police Chief James White said detectives are investigating the fatal incident, which occurred around 8 p.m. on August 18 in the area of I-75 and Vernor Highway.
White told reporters in a 9:20 p.m. update that a supervisor was patrolling the area when he encountered a suspect, identified as a white male in is late 50s to early 60s, blocking the intersection.
"He's got something in one hand, he's got his coat in the other hand and he's waving it around and stopping traffic," White said. "[Officer] encounters him and engages him to investigate exactly what is going on. At some point during this investigation, the suspect produces a handgun, points it at the supervisor and the supervisor fired shots."
Witnesses told reporters that they heard "one clip emptied and another five shots fired." When asked if police knew how many shots were fired, White said they were unsure.
"This is a wide open investigation," the chief clarified.
The supervisor was working alone a the time of the incident, White said. Responding officers arrived at the scene and attempted CPR, but the suspect succumbed to his injuries.
He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, White added.
Reporters told White that when they arrived to the scene, they noticed police providing life-saving efforts on the man for "a very long time," estimated at about five to 10 minutes.
"The officers are doing everything they can -- they go right from protector to warrior. They are trying to save somebody. Certainly nobody wants an outcome such as this, but unfortunately, this is where we are at," White explained. "The officers generally go right into that mode. That's part of our policy, it's part of our practice and the culture of our department. Compressions are going to last until the medical professionals take over."
Witnesses told media that the suspect was a homeless man known to walk up and down area, but White did not confirm that information on Friday evening.
Michigan State Police's Homicide Task Force is now handling the investigation as is standard with all officer-involved shootings, White said.
No other details have been released.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest updates.