Detroit Police have released bodycam footage and 911 audio from an officer-involved shooting that left two officers injured and one off duty Sgt. dead.
The incident occurred on October 14th when an off-duty Detroit SWAT sergeant, experiencing a mental health crisis, called 911 and reported that he intended to harm himself and others.
During the call, he specifically requested that negotiators and the Special Response Team (SRT) respond, warning that regular officers would be at risk of harm.
The sergeant expressed frustration to the 911 dispatcher, stating that “the job has no compassion” and referencing chronic back pain and injuries sustained on the job as contributing factors to his distress.
When officers arrived on the scene, they were initially advised to keep their distance due to the sergeant’s specialized training. The situation escalated when the sergeant fired shots into the air and later approached officers who were taking cover behind a vehicle. The sergeant then opened fire, injuring two on-duty officers. Officers returned fire, fatally striking the sergeant.
The two injured officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
Detroit police announced last year they will now release bodycam and dashcam footage of officer-involved shootings and critical incidents within 45 days.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Contact the National Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 or 1-800-273-8255. Free and confidential emotional support is available 24/7 for civilians and veterans. You can also text “741-741” to speak with a trained crisis counselor.
