Detroit Pastor Fatally Shot In Robbery Outside Bank
DETROIT (WWJ) - A man — identified as a local pastor — was shot and killed, Friday morning, near a bank drive-thru on Detroit's east side.
It happened shortly before 10 a.m. outside a Charter One bank branch on East Warren near Outer Drive.
Friday afternoon, the shooter remained on the loose.
Detroit Police Capt. Charles Mahone said the victim's vehicle, an iridescent pink BMW, was fired upon at least six times through the passenger side window.
"Basically the complainant came up to the ATM to conduct some business, and what we have here — what we believe we have at this time — is a robbery that went bad," said Mahone, talking to WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting at the scene.
Detroit police crime scene specialists are reviewing surveillance video and talking to witnesses.
The suspect is described as a black male, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall. He was wearing a red hoodie with black pockets.
There was no word on how much money was taken.
The victim has been identified by family members as James Blade, a pastor in his community.
About 30 minutes prior to the shooting, police were called to a strip mall on Gratiot Ave. near 7 Mile Road where a retired Wayne County Sheriff's deputy was robbed outside a credit union. Shots were fired, but the female victim was not injured,
Mahone said police are investigating whether the two incidents are connected.
