DETROIT – The man accused of shooting two Detroit police officers Wednesday night suffers from schizophrenia, his niece said.
Temicko Durham said her uncle, 60-year-old Raymond Durham, suffers from mental illness and is homeless.
"He has a mental illness and he's homeless," she said. "I didn't even know he had a gun. You know, this is my first time hearing he had a gun on him."
Detroit police chief: Man 'aggressively' tried to kill officers in shooting Wednesday night
The officers are recovering at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Raymond Durham also was shot in the leg when officers returned fire. He also is hospitalized.
Police said officers were investigating reports of narcotic activity in the area, as well as the fatal shooting of a Wayne State University police officer, when they approached Durham. He was spotted acting "fidgety," police said. When they approached him he gave them his ID, then suddenly pulled out a gun and began firing at the officers.
UPDATE: Detroit police sources: 2 officers shot were not investigating Sgt. Collin Rose murder
"His reaction, and for him to do that to the officers ... I don't know what the hell is going on," said Temicko Durham.
Durham was found hiding in weeds after a 2-and-1/2-hour manhunt. He is expected to survive his injury.
Temicko durham said her uncle is known as a kind man and has been good with children at family parties. She believes he must have suffered some kind of episode Wednesday night when the officers approached him. She doesn't know why he would have a gun on him.
Full story: 2 Detroit police officers shot Wednesday night