Attorney: ICE agent in hiding with family after deadly shooting in Detroit

Attorney David Greim says evidence will show agent did everything 'by the book'

DETROIT – It has been a week since the deadly shooting of 20-year-old Detroiter Terrance Kellom.

His family and supporters have appeared in public claiming the agent improperly used deadly force. Local 4 has not heard from the ICE agent who pulled the trigger until now.

More: Autopsy not immediately released in death of man by agent

His name is agent Mitchell. He has left town with his wife and children. The African-American officer welcomes an investigation and is saying -- through his attorney -- he did his job the right way.

Attorney David Greim was hired for Mitchell by a government agency. Mitchell felt he didn't need an attorney but Greim said a civil suit is certainly coming his way.

"His fear is for his wife and three children. He knows this was a righteous shoot and he knows that the evidence will show that everything he did was appropriate and by the book," said Greim.

Greim said Mitchell wasn't on the the team that went into the Kellom home last week. Mitchell was on the surveillance team that found Kellom at his father's house.

Greim said agent Mitchell responded to a backup call when Terrance Kellom fled to the attic. Officers couldn't get him out. Greim said Kellom jumped through the ceiling to the floor below, which is where Mitchell first heard him. His view was obscured by a blanket hanging over the entry.

"An individual comes through with a hammer -- a claw hammer -- extended in a fashion to commit an assault," said Greim.

Greim said Mitchell was backpedaling and tripped on a chair and, after he fired more shots, Kellom fell forward onto him while clutching a claw hammer.

"The individual is continuing toward him. He fires off several more shots. He goes down on his back, injuring his hand, and the individual, after the several shots were fired, collapses toward him with a hammer still in his hand," said Greim.


About the Author

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional.

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