Suspect who shot 2 Detroit police officers was an active DPD officer, authorities say
(CBS DETROIT) - Police say the suspect who shot two Detroit police officers on Monday was a member of the police department.
The shooting happened in the area of Dequindre and Davison.
Detroit Police Chief James White said in a news conference that the officer was a member of DPD's special response team. The officer was killed in the shooting.
"He was asking for suicide by cop. He is struggling with a mental crisis. Tragically, we are not immune to mental crisis; we're just like everybody else. Our officers are dealing with this every single day," White said.
Police say the two officers were grazed and are expected to recover.
White said the officer, who was in uniform, had a high-power rifle and fired shots in the air as police were responding to the scene. Police took cover, and the officer approached the vehicle, firing shots and striking the two officers in the leg and thigh area.
White said one of the officers fired back, killing the officer.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the shooting is a "tragedy for the city."
"It's just a reminder that every Detroiter just be enormously grateful for the commitment of the service, the men and women of this department," Duggan said in the news conference.
White says the department will be providing grief counseling for officers. The shooting is being investigated by Michigan State Police.
