Officers recovering after shootings inside police station

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee has announced new details in the Sunday afternoon shootings of four police officers inside the Northwest District police station.

Godbee said Monday morning that all four officers who were injured are expected to recover. Commander Brian Davis is in stable condition as is Officer David Anderson. Both men are recovering in the hospital.

Two other officers, Sergeant Ray Saati and Sergeant Carrie Schultz, were treated and released.

The officers were shot Sunday afternoon inside the Northwest District police station. Investigators say 38-year-old Lamar Moore walked into the lobby and opened fire with a shotgun during roll call at about 4:20 p.m. He was killed by police.

The injured officers were rushed to Detroit's Sinai Grace Hospital.

"As a department we are very sobered by the events, but we are very relieved that it appears that all our officers are going to be OK," Chief Godbee said in a news conference just hours after the shootings.

Police say Moore walked into the station just as any citizen can do. They say that once in the building he walked past the desk and fired down a hallway hitting a Sgt. Schultz in the chest. Schultz was wearing a bulletproof vest. She was taken to the hospital and later released.

Officers say that during the incident Precinct Commander Brian Davis grabbed a wounded officer’s gun and exchanged shots with Moore. During the exchange of gunfire Davis was shot in the back.

Investigators say Moore was killed after jumping over a counter in an attempt to shoot more officers.

The Chief says they are actively investigating Moore's background. However, he says it is too early to speculate on a motive. Speculation has been put forth that the shootings were related to a relative of Moore's who is set to be sentenced in connection with a double murder. Godbee said that they sentencing will go forward today as planned.

Godbee also praised his officers for their response to this very chaotic situation.

"They did all the things that we train them to do under pressure. We’re very fortunate, very blessed to stand before you with the belief that all four of them will be OK."

A camera inside the precinct did capture images of the shooting and sources who have seen that video say it is graphic. Chief Godbee says that the tape will eventually be released.

Sunday evening, police familiar with the Northwest District offices said there is no bulletproof glass that separates officers and desk staff from those visiting the precinct. They said a high desk and low seating behind it hinders officers from having a full view of those entering the police station.

During the evening press conference, Chief Godbee told reporters that security procedures are being assessed in an effort to prevent incidents like this.

"It’s possible, more than likely that we will be changing a number of things, relative to standard operating procedures, as to how we screen our public before they come in," Godbee said. "We want to engage our public, but by the same token, incidents like this are very sobering and remind us just how vulnerable we all are especially in the public sector when we offer our lives every day to public service. We have to be extra vigilant. I owe it to our officers, we owe it our officers to take a look at security at all of our facilities."

Monday morning Chief Godbee again addressed the security concerns, saying police department policies and procedures would be examined and changed as necessary. He says that while the examination is underway the department will be deploying 12 handheld metal detectors that have been provided by Ilitch Holdings. Godbee also said that the department will be making physical changes, such as installing bulletproof glass, and instituting policy changes in order to better protect DPD officers.

The precinct at Warwick and Plymouth is an active crime scene and is not open to the public at this time. It is not expected to reopen until Tuesday afternoon at the earliest. The public is advised to go to the 10th or 12th precincts should they need assistance.