1 person dead after shooting at SW Detroit home

Shooting happens Monday morning on Whittaker Street

DETROIT – Tammy Johns rushed out of her home Monday morning after getting a call about a shooting at a friend's house on Whittaker Street in southwest Detroit.

"The little girl, the 6-year-old, called me crying," Johns said. "She was scared. ‘Please, come and help us.'"

Police said the girl's father, the homeowner, shot and killed a man in his 30s who was trying to break into the house.

The homeowner's wife and four young children were at the home at the time of the shooting, but weren't hurt.

Neighbors told Local 4 break-ins are on the rise in the neighborhood, and that Monday morning's incident was the third time this week someone had targeted the family in their home.

Hilal Alkatteb said the homeowner was in tears after the shooting.
"You see kids out the window right there. I just had my first baby girl a week ago. I will kill anybody and anything for her," Alkatteb said.

The homeowner was taken in by police for questioning.

Deputy Police Chief Renee Hall said investigators would work to determine is the shooting was justified. She took the opportunity to clarify what deadly force is acceptable.

"If your property is being attacked and your life, or a life of another is under attack, at that particular time. There's an imminent threat to your life and safety and then the use of force is justified," Hall said.