Fugitive killed in Detroit: Feds' side of the story

20-year-old man shot to death by officer inside west side Detroit home

DETROIT – The fugitive task force often does surveillance before going after a suspect, and that was the case Monday morning.

Local 4 has learned the results of a debrief of officers on the scene: federal officers actually saw 20-year-old Terrance Kellom walking around outside the Kellom home on Evergreen Road in Detroit. As officers moved in, Kellom ran inside.

The task force asked for entree into the home and Kevin Kellom, Terrance's father, and the homeowner agreed to allow police inside. Once inside, Local 4 is told Terrance ran into an attic area. When officers confronted him inside that attic they claim he refused to show them both of his hands.

The federal report says Terrance Kellom allegedly started jumping up and down on the attic floor while screaming at officers, "You are going to have to shoot me." He was jumping up and down apparently trying to break through the floor.

Officers said he succeeded and fell through the ceiling, landing on the floor below. Once on the ground, the federal report says Terrance Kellom had a claw hammer in his hands and lunged at the officers with the claw end. That is when the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent assigned to the fugitive apprehension task force fired his weapon. That officer now is on paid leave.

Terrance Kellom died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to an autopsy.

"Police work sometimes requires use of deadly force, but officers may use only as much force as is reasonable under the circumstances," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said in a statement. "In a situation like this, it is important to protect the rights of both the deceased and the officer. Therefore, we are closely monitoring the investigation."

A community meeting was held Wednesday afternoon between Detroit Police Chief James Craig and residents of the neighborhood at West Chicago and Evergreen Road. It was well attended.

It also was the second installment of Chief Craig's personal involvement. On Monday, Craig waded into a very angry crowd and spoke with family members and the frustrated residents and calmed the situation greatly. On Wednesday, Mayor Mike Duggan had nothing but praise for the chief's work.

"I could not have been more pleased at the way Chief Craig handled it. I'm really pleased that he's doing the community meeting this afternoon, and I've heard from lots of people in the community that they appreciate the way he handled it," said Duggan.


About the Author:

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