DETROIT – One suspect was killed Sunday night and a second suspect is in custody Monday after an off-duty Detroit police officer was shot on the city's east side.
Police Chief James Craig held a news conference Monday morning and said the officer is talking and is optimistic.
The shooting happened at about 11 p.m. on the corner of Gratiot Avenue and Chene Street, outside the Motor City Liquor store. Police believe the officer was the target of an attempted robbery.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Off-duty Detroit police officer critically injured in shootout
According to police, the officer made a purchase at the store and walked into the parking lot. Craig said security cameras captured the shooting, but that the location is not a Green Light program and the quality is low.
"If it was a Green Light location, we probably would have had a plate number, a vehicle description," Craig said.
A suspect is seen running to the officer in the parking lot with his arm extended, holding a weapon. The officer drew his weapon. Both parties fired.
The suspect was shot and killed. The officer was shot twice -- in the torso and foot.
A second suspect was taken into custody that police believe was an active participant in the robbery.
The 27-year-old officer was rushed to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He is in critical condition. He has been on the force for one year.
Craig said the office told him two things Monday morning: he wants to get out of the hospital and he wants a police motorcycle.
Third suspect arrives on scene, takes guns
After the shooting, another suspect showed up and walked up to the first suspect. Police believe the man took the gun from the shooting suspect and also took the injured officer’s gun.
“His gun was laying adjacent to him,” Craig said. “He removed the gun and then he went over to where the officer was lying, and it appeared that he may have taken his gun as well.”
Craig said the guns were taken about eight minutes after the shootout.
"He was in no hurry to leave that scene," Craig said. "He made no effort to help the suspect who was shot or the officer."
Craig said the third suspect was very methodical and did not appear to be in a hurry.
Police are looking for two vehicles: a dark-colored or black sedan and a 2008 or 2009 silver or white Dodge Durango.
“The fact that this individual, instead of trying to render aid, they basically approached the downed suspect, and my sense is that there is a relationship with this suspect that was down and this person,” Craig said.
Craig hopes someone can identify the vehicles and hopefully a witness can help.
"Enough is enough," Craig said. "It needs to stop."
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