DETROIT (WXYZ) — Five people were shot, including a suspect, outside a church in Detroit where a funeral service was taking place.
The shooting happened around 5:45 p.m. in front of Greater Love Tabernacle Church on Plymouth Road near Longacre Street.
Watch Megan Lee's video report below:
Officers were across the street at O.H. Pye III Funeral Home providing security detail when a fight broke out at the church, Police Chief Todd Bettison said. Police were monitoring the area about a potential threat made against the services.
Police say during the fight outside the church, someone pulled out a handgun and shot four people. Officers who were across the street responded to the altercation. An officer returned fire, shooting the suspect in the lower body, Bettison said.
The victims were also shot in their lower bodies. Police say three victims are in their 20s and the fourth victim is in their 30s.
Everyone who was shot is expected to survive.
Police Chief Todd Bettison provides details below:
The suspect is in police custody and a weapon was recovered. Bettison said there is no threat to the public and the shooting was an isolated incident.
"You don't come to work expecting to have to do this, but the officer saw the threat and took action. And our officer is absolutely a hero," Bettison said.
The church part of Project Green Light, which is a city program that provides cameras at locations to deter and solve crimes.
It's unclear at this time what led up to the fight outside the church.
"When we're put on notice that there can be a potential for violence, whether it's funerals, repasses, and you let us know, we do put details together to try to prevent this. Our goal is to deter it and if something does happen, of course, take action," Bettison said.
The owner of O.H.Pye, III Funeral Home, Ozie Pye IV, told 7 News Detroit that he saw the chaos unfold across the street.
“It was extremely horrific, and I hope it happens to no one else," Pye said.
He said his funeral home was holding a visitation for a young man that died in a car crash.
"We gathered together to honor this young man, not for this," Pye said.
Pye is grateful that Detroit police were in the area and that his security team helped keep everyone calm.
“It could have been far worse. We’re grateful that they were here," Pye explained.
His thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved. He wants this type of behavior to stop.
“Let’s try and love on each other a little more seriously. These little beefs and incidents and things that cause strife, we need to put that aside," Pye said.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield released a statement:
Today, multiple people were shot while attending a funeral on Detroit’s west side. The victims, all in their 20s, were gathered to mourn a young man who had died in a car accident. My thoughts are with them, their families, and everyone affected. I am grateful that all of the victims are expected to survive.
A Detroit Police officer was nearby, assigned to a location across the street, when an altercation broke out and gunfire erupted into the crowd. The officer moved toward the scene and returned fire, stopping the threat. A suspect is in custody.
This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information should contact Detroit Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
I want to thank the Detroit Police Department for the officer’s quick and courageous action, which prevented further harm. This was an act of senseless violence, and it has no place in our city.
