Officer hit, suspect killed during shooting inside Southfield Police Department lobby

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) - A shootout inside the Southfield Police Department lobby ended with a veteran police sergeant in the hospital and the alleged gunman dead.

The officer was shot in the shoulder and should make a full recovery.

The violence unfolded at around 2:20 Sunday afternoon. Police say a 64-year-old man walked into the station and up to the front desk where officers reportedly asked if they could help him. The unidentified suspect did not respond.

Instead he pulled out out a 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 the suspect to drop his gun.

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

Police say the first responding officer was shot in the shoulder. He is a 25-year veteran of the force.

Southfield's mayor says she visited with the officer and his family at the hospital Sunday evening.

The suspect was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police say his motive isn't known but based on his behavior they think this may have been a case of "suicide by cop."

Officers say he did not argue or have a confrontation with anyone before pulling his gun.