Police identify gunman who opened fire in lobby of Southfield Police Department

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) - Southfield Police have identified the man who they say opened fire inside the Southfield Police Department on Sunday.

Police Chief Eric Hawkins says the man is Harold Joseph Collins, a 64-year-old man from Southfield. Hawkins says Collins was a military veteran with no criminal history who was apparently in poor health.

Investigators say they have found no apparent motive in the shooting.

A 27-year veteran of the Southfield Police Department was wounded in the left shoulder during the incident. He is expected to make a full recovery. His name is not being released.

The violence unfolded at around 2:20 Sunday afternoon. Police say Collins walked into the station and up to the front desk where officers reportedly asked if they could help him. He did not respond.

Instead he pulled out out a .380 caliber gun and pulled the trigger. The gun did not go off. 

The desk officer drew his own handgun and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. Other officers also responded to the lobby and ordered Collins to drop his gun.

He did not comply with police orders and pointed his gun at the officers. It was at this point that Collins and officers exchanged gunfire.

Collins was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Oakland County Sheriff's office is investigating the incident. An internal investigation is also underway at the Southfield Police Department.

All of the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy. Counselors are also being made available to all Southfield Police Department employees affected by the incident.