‘Thank God he didn’t kill me’ -- Dearborn Heights man tries to convince gunman to disarm after deadly shooting

Gunman shot, killed by police after fatally shooting 2 people, officials say

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – Police are investigating a multiple-homicide at an apartment complex in Dearborn Heights that ended in a police shooting on Saturday.

Officials say the shooter killed two people at the Cherry Hill Village Apartments on Yorkshire Street before firing shots at police officers who had responded to the scene.

ORIGINAL STORY: Dearborn Heights police investigating double homicide, residents urged to avoid area

Standing on a second floor balcony, the gunman reportedly started firing on Dearborn Heights police officers with what appeared to be an automatic rifle when they arrived at the scene at about 2:30 p.m.

Patches McCullough, a resident at the apartment complex, says he tried to talk the gunman into putting his weapon down during the incident.

“I’m looking and I’m like, ’Come on, man. My kids are behind the door,’” McCullough said. “’Listen man, we don’t want to do this.’”

McCullough said he considered fleeing with his children to a safer area, but he was afraid the gunman was going to shoot him.

“Thank God he didn’t kill me,” McCullough said of the gunman. “The police came, but he started shooting at them.”

McCullough said there was about a five minute standoff before the gunman was killed by police officers. He also said that police gave the gunman every opportunity to put down his weapon, but he would not comply.

Police confirmed Saturday night that it started as a domestic incident and the gunman was related to one of the victims. The second victim has not been positively identified yet.

Police are urging residents to avoid the area of Cherry Hill and Inkster roads while the incident is under investigation.

More: Metro Detroit crime news


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Victor Williams joined Local 4 News in October of 2019 after working for WOIO in Cleveland, OH, WLOX News in Biloxi, MS, and WBBJ in Jackson, TN. Victor developed a love for journalism after realizing he was a great speaker and writer at an early age.

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.