HARPER WOODS, Mich. – The Harper Woods Police Department said one of its officers was a witness to a homicide early Wednesday morning.
In a release, the department said an officer was in the area of Kelly Road and Roscommon Street at about 12:30 a.m. when he saw a man and a woman walking, and another man approaching them from behind.
Police say just as the lone man was about to rob the couple, the patrol officer, who was in the right place at the right time, pulled into the alley and the robber dropped the gun. Sources say the man who was the target of the robbery picked up the gun and shot the robber once.
The victim was taken to St. John Hospital in Detroit, where he was pronounced dead. Police say he is from Detroit and between 25 and 30 years old.
The 19-year-old Detroit man who fired the shot is in custody.
Police Chief Jim Burke said there are many "variables" in the case which will go to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.
He said the case will be presented to the prosecutor who will decide if the shooting is justifiable in self defense or whether the man should be charged with manslaughter or murder.
The department is investigating and is asking anyone with information to call them at 313-343-2530, or Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP.