Craig: Jammed gun might have saved officers' lives
Detroit — It's always wrong and always tragic when people shoot at police officers, Detroit Police Chief James Craig says. But the "unprovoked" shooting attempt at three Detroit police officers early Thursday morning might have been worse had the suspect's gun not jammed.
After firing "at least five" rounds at the three officers who stopped on the 19000 block of Hull to investigate an empty car that was left running in the middle of the street about 1 a.m. Thursday, the suspect was hit by return fire and arrested.
Police say two men were in the area. One stood on the sidewalk near the vehicle; the other stood on the porch of a home. Police say the man on the porch pulled out a weapon and fired shots at the officers, who returned fire.
The man fled on foot, and the chase was on. None of the officers on the scene were hit by gunfire, but one had his left leg injured during the foot pursuit.
The second suspect never was arrested and police have no detailed description of him.
In a press conference at Detroit police headquarters, Craig described the 45-year-old suspect, whom he did not name, as a "career criminal" who's served time for second-degree murder and was only paroled earlier this year.
Asked how he preaches safety to the officers in his command, Craig answered that "awareness" is important. He also coaches supervisors who are in the field to join their officers on traffic stops so as to "offer moral support."
The suspect is in police custody and is in serious condition at an area hospital. While the quick arrest may provide some level of closure, Craig was still left with questions.
"We didn't have contact with the suspect, who was sitting on his porch. Why would you shoot at police from your porch?" Craig said.
Thursday's attempted shooting took place about two miles from another attempted shooting at Detroit police officers, but Craig said he "didn't see a nexus" between the two incidents, nor a larger issue with that part of town.
On Wednesday morning, in the area of Remington and Derby, two police officers were shot at a by a man using an “assault-type rifle,” Craig said. The officers were not struck.