DETROIT (WWJ) -- A man is hospitalized after being shot by police during an investigation into gang activity on Detroit's east side.
According to officials with the Detroit Police Department, this happened as the DPD's gang intelligence unit was operating in the area of Moross and Kelly, at around 10:20 p.m. Thursday.
According to DPD Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald, when officers approached a man who appeared to be armed, and he ran from them.
Fitzgerald said police chased the suspect, who dropped his gun, then allegedly went to pick it up and looked back at officers. That's when an officer fired multiple shots.
"At this point, as this happened, the suspect was attempting to throw the gun up on the roof behind us," Fitzgerald said.
The suspect, believed to be in his mid-20s, was shot multiple times. He was taken to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
"A really important message is the fact that I wish he'd have just dropped that gun and kept running," Fitzgerald told reporters. "Unfortunately, he picked that gun up, turned toward officers — and that's not the best thing to do, unfortunately."
"Prayers to him and his family," Fitzgerald added. "Hopefully he can pull through this thing, and he can recover."
Fitzgerald said the gun was found on the roof of the building.
The investigation is ongoing.