An off-duty Detroit police officer wounded two of his colleagues in a shootout before they killed him Monday in what police brass called “suicide by cop.”
The 45-year-old officer was a 13-year veteran of the department, Detroit Police Chief James White said at a press briefing. He was not identified further.
“It’s a horrible day,” White told reporters.
Two officers responded to a “suicide in progress” call around 2:25 p.m. Monday, according to White. When they arrived, they found the off-duty officer in full uniform firing a “high-powered rifle” into the air, the chief said.
“He is a member of our special response team,” White said. “He is off duty. He is threatening suicide. He is asking for suicide by cop.”
When the responding officers took cover behind a vehicle, the 13-year veteran fired at the rear of the vehicle and wounded both officers in the leg, according to authorities. One officer then returned fire and killed their colleague.
The suspect officer was a member of the department’s elite special response team, according to White. The group responds to “the most violent perpetrators,” such as barricaded suspects and active shooters, the chief said.
White said the veteran officer had been battling a physical degenerative condition and was placed on restricted duty earlier this year. The officer was returned to active duty on Oct. 3, though he did not work at all on Monday.
“It’s a reminder of the courage the officers in this department show every day,” Mayor Mike Duggan said. The responding officers “went to that scene knowing they were going to be confronted by a highly trained and armed officer in the department who was having significant mental issues.”
Both wounded officers were in stable condition and expected to recover, White said. Michigan State Police will investigate the incident.
