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.
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.
Police Chief Todd Bettison provides details 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 had received information about a potential threat for a visitation that was happening at the funeral home.
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.
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. The mayor said the funeral was being held for a man who died in a car crash.
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.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield released a statement:
Today, an individual opened fire outside Greater Love Tabernacle Church on Detroit’s west side. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and this congregation. I am grateful that all of the victims are expected to survive.
Because of credible threats made ahead of today’s family hour, Detroit Police officers were already on the scene. When the individual began firing, an officer returned fire, wounding the suspect and stopping the threat before he could do further harm. The suspect is now in custody. That response saved lives.
A place of worship should be safe. I want to thank the Detroit Police Department for the intelligence work that put officers in position to protect this congregation, and for the courage they showed today.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information should contact Detroit Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. This was an act of senseless violence, and it has no place in our city.
