Michigan State Police Troopers arrested a man suspected in a Detroit robbery last week, after he ran into a Westland church and exchanged gunfire with local, county and state officers.
The man was being pursued by Detroit police officers last Friday, Sept. 9, and was followed to a home near Palmer and Venoy Road in Westland at about 2:30 p.m. When confronted by officers, the suspect fled the vehicle he was driving and entered the Palmer Road Baptist Church, according to police reports. The suspect went to the second floor of the building and fired shots at police vehicles and officers from several of the upper windows of the building.
The area was locked down by Westland and Inkster police who responded to the scene and nearby Adams Middle School was put on lockdown by police. A barricaded gunman situation was reported to police agencies and Michigan State Police, officers from the Wayne County Sheriff along with Westland, the SWAT/SRT team and other local police departments responded.
Gunfire struck and damaged the passenger door of a Westland police patrol car and the windshield of a Wayne County Sheriff's vehicle during the standoff. No police officers were injured, but the suspect was injured in the exchange of gunfire, according to police reports.
Reports from the Michigan State Police indicated that a Detroit officer fired one round at the suspect during the standoff, striking the suspect in his hand. Following his injury, the man reportedly continued to shout at officers that he was injured and subsequently left the church and surrendered to officers at about 3:15 p.m. according to police reports.
The continuing investigation is being conducted by Michigan State Police.
Westland police issued a statement reassuring residents that there was “no ongoing danger to the public” and that the suspect remains in police custody.
