DNA connects man accused of shooting Detroit officers to Sgt. Collin Rose murder scene, sources say

DETROIT – Sources close to Local 4 have confirmed that DNA found at the scene of Wayne State University police Sgt. Collin Rose's murder matches the DNA of Raymond Durham, who is accused of shooting two DPD officers Wednesday night.

UPDATE: DNA match confirms Raymond Durham as suspect in murder of Sgt. Collin Rose

%INLINE

The DNA was found on a flashlight and glove from the night Rose was shot while working a case in Woodbridge. Rose was shot a little more than a mile away from the area where the two Detroit police officers were shot Wednesday night. Those officers are still hospitalized recovering from their gunshot wounds. One has undergone surgery on his leg. 

Detroit police chief: Officers in stable condition after being shot

Durham, 60, was taken into custody Wednesday night after a 2-and-1/2-hour manhunt. Sources say DNA from Durham matches DNA from the items found at the Wayne State officer's deadly shooting scene. 

RELATED: Police believe new video shows man who killed WSU Sgt. Collin Rose

However, Detroit police said there is no match right now to the gun which was found Wednesday night on Durham. It is the same caliber which was used to kill Rose. 

"At this point (Durham) is not a suspect, but we are certainly looking at that," said Detroit police Chief James Craig. "There are some similarities in terms of appearance, of course, even the manner of attack I can tell you preliminarily there are some similarities."

Durham's family said he is schizophrenic and has been homeless, drifting around for the past 40 years. They said they have never seen him be violent. They did not believe he could be capable of murdering someone, let alone a police officer. 

STORY: Man accused of shooting Detroit police officers suffers from mental illness, niece says

Sgt. Collin Rose murder case background:

Rose was shot in the head Nov. 22, 2016 while stopping a man on a bicycle in Detroit's Woodbridge neighborhood. Rose was investigating car break-ins in the neighborhood. He died nearly 24 hours later in a hospital surrounded by family. 

The 29-year-old officer was engaged to be married in October 2017.

WATCH: K9 officers gather outside slain Wayne State officer's visitation

Police thought they had his killer. DeAngelo Davis, 31, was arrested Nov. 22 and charged with shooting and killing Rose. He was charged Nov. 25 with first-degree murder, a felony firearms violation, murder of a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

But the charges against Davis were dropped after surveillance video revealed that Davis was in a local business at the time of the shooting, sources close to the investigation said.

"All murder charges against DeAngelo Davis will be dismissed today," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. "He is no longer a suspect at this time. As you can imagine, the officers from the task force, including the Michigan State Police and the Detroit Police Department, have been working diligently and literally, literally around the clock, along with members of my office on this case."

Detroit police released surveillance video of a person who they believe might have witnessed the deadly shooting. Watch here.

MORE: New evidence released in WSU Sgt. Collin Rose's fatal shooting in Detroit

Police in January released images of a flashlight and a bicycle that they believe were used by the shooter. View here.

Police also released a photo of what they are calling the suspect's gloves:

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit breaking news alerts and email newsletters


About the Authors: