DETROIT – A contracted custodian for Detroit Public Schools Community District was fatally shot during a dispute in the parking lot of an elementary school after summer classes ended.
The shooting occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Thursday (July 2) outside Chrysler Elementary School after a verbal altercation between three men escalated into a physical fight, according to Detroit police.
Police said one of the men fatally shot the custodian during the confrontation.
The suspect, who is a concealed pistol license holder, was taken into custody at the scene, and officers recovered a firearm.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released the victim’s identity.
In a statement, Detroit Public Schools Community District confirmed the victim was a contracted custodian assigned to Chrysler Elementary School.
District officials said there were no students or school staff inside the building at the time of the shooting.
Summer school had already been dismissed, and children were no longer on campus.
Detroit police homicide investigators are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“Earlier this evening a shooting occurred on the Chrysler Elementary parking lot. The police responded and a contracted custodian from the school was fatally wounded.
There were no students or staff in the building. Summer school had already been dismissed and children were not on campus. The District is cooperating fully with police throughout this active investigation. Our thoughts and prayers go to the contracted employee’s family.
Detroit Public Schools Community District