DETROIT (WXYZ) — A man who police say was heavily armed and moving around erratically in a gas station in Detroit was shot by an officer this morning.
Detroit police say the incident happened at a Citgo gas station near 8 Mile and Berg Road.
According to police, the suspect entered the station around 7:20 a.m. carrying a weapon and multiple clips, locked the door behind him and began moving around the store erratically. A clerk called 911.
"When the officers arrive, they see him standing there, they go into their tactics, where they're walking up to the door, but keeping cover and concealment. They see him, he's standing at the door, he has got the weapon. It appears that he points the weapon at the officer at some point, officer's yelling and you can hear the officer yelling, 'drop the weapon' ... and the officer fires multiple shots, striking the suspect," said DPD Chief James White.
Lerita Steps has been living in the area for 35 years and frequently uses the gas station. Lerita says she would have stopped there for snacks if today wasn't a holiday.
"It was a blessing for many people, I guess, because, a lot of people were not out," said Steps. She told 7 Action News she heard the gunshots.
Chief White says the suspect, believed to be in his thirties, has a criminal history, but his motive remains unclear.
"Very unusual circumstance. We don't know if robbery was the motive, but when you are heavily armed, got an extended clip magazine, you lock the front door, very unusual," said Chief White.
Another resident, Carol Lowery, says it breaks her heart to see such a tragic incident occur in her peaceful neighborhood.
"We like to come and patronize our neighborhood businesses; I always feel safe inside of them. The proprietors are always kind and respectful. So, I'm just sad that something like this happened in my neighborhood," said Lowery.
"I think we should all be aware of our surroundings, we should always be safe no matter where we are, so I will just be alert, but I will still continue to patronize the gas station," said Lowery.
The police say the suspect is in serious but stable condition at an area hospital. No one else was injured.
