"Hero" police officer and suspect both killed in Detroit shooting
A police officer and a suspect were both killed in a shooting on Detroit's west side, authorities said Wednesday night.
The officer was fatally shot at about 7:40 p.m. local time after police responded to a report of shots fired. Police then came upon a suspect who had exited a building armed with a gun, according to the Detroit Police Department. Four officers opened fire on the suspect, striking him multiple times.
The wounded officer was rushed to a hospital, where he died. Police identified the officer as Loren Courts, and the suspect as 19-year-old Ehmani Mack Davis.
"This is a somber day for the Detroit Police Department," Detroit Police Chief James White said in a Thursday release. "Officer Courts is without a doubt a hero to his family and community, as he gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life in service to others. He will always be remembered as a beloved officer, husband and father to his two children."
White said in a Wednesday briefing that Courts was a five-year veteran whose own father had also served in the department.
"He comes from a long history of law enforcement officers," White said. "His father was a recently retired police officer in this department as well."
Police said Thursday that Courts' partner, Officer Amanda Hudgens, immediately provided him with aid, "selflessly putting her own life at risk."
The exact details of the shooting were unclear. White said there was no indication of any other injuries.
"The senseless violence ravaging our country has hit far too close to home tonight," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. "We owe a debt of gratitude to our fallen officer, a debt that we can never repay. He gave his life to serve his city and keep his fellow Detroiters safe. Our entire city is holding his family in our hearts tonight and will be with them every step of the way in the difficult days ahead."
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also honored Courts in a statement, writing that the state is "heartbroken" by his death.
"He loved his job and put on his uniform every day to keep his community safe. Yesterday, he made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Whitmer said. "Officer Courts was a second-generation Detroit police officer. He followed in his father's footsteps and was a hero to all those who knew him, especially his wife and kids."