Teenage Suspect Killed By Police After Chase, Car Bombing
SALEM TWP. (WWJ) - Northville Township police have identified a young suspect shot and killed by a Michigan State Police trooper early Tuesday following a car bombing and cross-county chase.
Investigators say 18-year old Gabriel Stevenson of Ypsilanti was driving a car that was spotted near the site of an explosion near Six Mile and Napier Road.
"What I know is that Northville had some arsons over the past 24 to 36 hours and had become aware of a suspicious vehicle. About that same time, a report of an explosion or fire came in," said State Police Lt. Joel Allen.
As officers conducted a traffic stop, Stevenson allegedly fired at police before speeding away.
A chase ensued that stretched into Washtenaw County's Salem Township, where the suspect lost control of his vehicle on the ice and slammed into a house near 6 Mile and Dixboro roads.
"The subject then left on foot. He ran from here back down 6 Mile Road. There's a residence there, that I'm not sure if anybody was home, and there's a barn. So, there was a structure there where it looked like maybe he was trying to hide behind, but once he realized the troopers were there, he then charged at one of our troopers with a knife. One of the troopers then fired one round at the subject," said Allen.
Stevenson was declared dead on the scene.
Police said three people were inside the home at the time of the crash, although no injuries were reported.
Michigan State Police say the trooper who fired his weapon has been placed on administrative leave while the incident remains under investigation, per department policy.
