A meat delivery driver who fatally shot an alleged thief in Eastern Market Wednesday morning will not be charged, officials say.
On Wednesday, a Detroit police officer was on patrol in Eastern Market when he heard a gunshot in the area of Fisher Service Drive and Riopelle.
When he arrived, he saw Edward J. Ross, 58, lying face down in the street. The driver, a 35-year-old Ypsilanti man was standing nearby and informed the officer that he shot the man and he was arrested. Ross and the man did not know each other, and Ross died from the gunshot wound.
Investigators revealed that Ross was inside a truck allegedly stealing boxes of meat with another man. When the driver heard a co-worker scream, he pulled out his gun, ran to the truck and saw Ross and another man struggling with his co-worker.
Ross reportedly moved his hand behind his back as though he was reaching for a weapon and the driver shot him, officials say.
The other man who was taking meat from the truck fled from the scene.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's office determined no charges will be issued in the case because the driver acted in lawful self-defense.
Officials say he had an honest and reasonable belief that the use of deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another person.
