DETROIT – A Detroit police officer shot and wounded an armed suspect after the man opened fire into a crowd, hitting four people during a fight outside a church funeral on the city’s west side.
The shooting occurred on Friday (July 17) at 5:48 p.m. outside Greater Love Tabernacle Church at the intersection of Plymouth Road and Longacre Street.
Officers from the 6th Precinct were already in the area, providing a detail for a visitation at the nearby O.H. Pye III Funeral Home across the street, when a fight broke out at the church.
“During the fight, one suspect pulled out a handgun and fired into the crowd, striking multiple people,” said Detroit police Chief Todd Bettison. “Officer saw that, took action, and returned fire, striking the individual in the lower extremities.”
Five people in total were shot, including the suspect.
Bettison said all gunshot wounds were to the lower extremities, and all victims are expected to survive.
“At this point, I don’t hold the opinion that there are any life-threatening injuries,” Bettison said.
The suspect was taken into custody immediately at the scene, and the weapon was recovered.
Bettison said the suspect is believed to be in his mid-20s.
Victims ranged in age from their mid-20s to mid-30s.
Bettison praised the officer who returned fire, saying the response was decisive and professional.
“Our officer is absolutely a hero,” Bettison said. “You don’t come to work expecting to have to do this, but the officer saw the threat and took action.”
All victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Bettison said there is no ongoing threat to the public and that the incident is believed to be isolated.
Officers were already on alert
Officers had been deployed to the area in advance after receiving information about the potential for violence connected to the visitation at O. H. Pye, III Funeral Home.
Bettison said the church funeral was a separate event, but officers were monitoring the area when the altercation erupted.
“When we’re put on notice that there can be a potential for violence, whether it’s funerals or repasts, you let us know, we do put details together to try to prevent this,” Bettison said. “Our goal is to deter it, and if something does happen, of course, take action.”
Bettison confirmed the suspect was believed to have been attending the funeral at the church.
He added that Greater Love Tabernacle Church is a Green Light location, a Detroit police program that uses real-time surveillance cameras to monitor high-traffic areas.
The cause of the fight remains under investigation, though Bettison said preliminary information suggests there may have been an existing dispute among those involved.
DPD urges community to report threats
Bettison closed the briefing with a direct message to Detroit residents, urging anyone with knowledge of potential violence to contact police before situations escalate.
“If you’re aware that there’s potential for violence, always let your precinct captain, commander, let DPD know,” Bettison said. “Whether it’s a funeral or a repast, we’ll come out.”
“Today, multiple people were shot while attending a funeral on Detroit’s west side.
The victims, all in their 20s, were gathered to mourn a young man who had died in a car accident.
My thoughts are with them, their families, and everyone affected. I am grateful that all of the victims are expected to survive.
A Detroit Police officer was nearby, assigned to a location across the street, when an altercation broke out and gunfire erupted into the crowd.
The officer moved toward the scene and returned fire, stopping the threat. A suspect is in custody.
This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information should contact Detroit Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
I want to thank the Detroit Police Department for the officer’s quick and courageous action, which prevented further harm.
This was an act of senseless violence, and it has no place in our city."
Mayor Mary Sheffield