Off-Duty Detroit Cop Shoots Young Robber; 2nd Suspect At Large
DETROIT (WWJ) - A minor is in custody and another suspect is wanted in the attempted armed robbery of an off-duty Detroit police officer.
Police say the cop was visiting a friend in the 16800 block of Linwood St. near McNichols and Livernois when the pair pulled up in a gray Chrysler at around 2 a.m Monday. The minor waved a high-powered rifle and declared "this is a robbery," according to Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
The officer then fired "a number of gunshots," Craig said, striking the minor before the two would-be robbers sped off.
At a news conference later in the day, Craig said investigators have been questioning the minor who is now in custody after he was found at an area hospital.
Craig said the minor was treated for minor injuries and released.
"I did have a conversation with the mother of the person who was treated for the gunshot wounds," Craig added. "She's been very cooperative. I want to acknowledge her for being the kind of parent who's concerned; and certainly our prayers go out for a speedy recovery for her son."
The minor's name has not been released due to his age.
Craig said they're asking for the public's help to find the driver still at large: 24-year-old Timothy Sims, who is described as a black male who is "an acquaintance" of the minor in custody.
"We need him to turn himself in. We know who he is, we will find him and we will arrest him," Craig said.
The chief was asked about the officer's response to the holdup.
"His training certainly kicked in," Craig said. "It could have been a different outcome, certainly for him and his acquaintance; and certainly we're happy that the suspect is going to recover from his injuries."
The officer is on restricted duty was an investigation continues.
Anyone who knows of Sims' whereabouts or who has any information about this crime is asked to call Detroit police at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.
