MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office has released new details in the police shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in Fraser.
Investigators say the teen was allegedly armed with a knife at the time of the incident and that body camera video shows Fraser officers deploying Tasers before opening fire.
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The shooting occurred on Saturday (May 30) around 5:30 p.m. in the 17000 block of Breezeway near 13 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway.
What dispatch audio reveals
Dispatch audio obtained by Local 4 offers new context into why police were called to the home.
According to the audio, the caller had just picked up her grandson from the police department and told dispatchers he was upset.
“Caller is advising they picked up their grandson from the police department. Currently upset that she is not allowing him to use the phone,” the dispatcher says in the audio to officers.
The grandmother also told dispatchers the teen had one hand behind his back and she did not know what he was holding, saying she was uncomfortable and waiting for police at a neighbor’s home.
“Caller is uncomfortable saying she doesn’t know what is behind his back,” the dispatcher said.
Neighbors describe the scene
Neighbors told Local 4 the teen lived with his grandmother and that police had been called to the home previously, including earlier that same day.
“Twice prior to today and today, they have been out; this is the third time now,” said Christine Bone, a neighbor.
Bone also described what she heard in the moments before the shooting.
“Heard a lot of yelling and then somebody yelling ‘just shoot me, just shoot me, just shoot me’ four times,” Bone said.
Family calls shooting ‘unjustified’
A GoFundMe shared by the family describes the teen as experiencing a “severe mental health crisis” and calls the shooting “unjustified.”
“We are currently waiting for further details from investigators, but what we do know is devastating and unacceptable,” the family wrote.
Local 4 attempted to reach the family for comment but did not receive a response.
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
The Fraser officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard protocol.
Investigators are currently reviewing body camera footage that Local 4 requested.