Detroit Police releasing new information surrounding the shooting death of 19-year-old Raynard Burton by a Detroit Police Special Operations officer Monday afternoon.
Chief James Craig says the green Pontiac Bonneville that officers saw speeding on Broadstreet on Detroit's west side had been stolen in an armed carjacking early Saturday morning. The carjacking victim has now reportedly identified Burton as the lone perpetrator.
Police say Burton was also implicated, but not charged, in another carjacking last month.
Monday afternoon, two Special Operations officers with Detroit Police observed the green Pontiac speeding. They had no idea it had been stolen in a carjacking because while the owner of the car called 911 as he tried to chase after his stolen vehicle, he never made out a police report.
Then, on Monday, before police could begin a vehicle pursuit of the speeding car or activate their lights, the car had crashed.
Initially, police thought the car had crashed into a utility pole. But after talking to a witness, police say the speeding car may have struck an occupied vehicle that left the scene. The Pontiac also hit a building before Burton bailed out, and on foot, began to try to escape police that were now closing in.
About a quarter-mile into the foot chase is when Burton ended up in the backyard of the vacant house on Webb near Otsego.
And in the backyard is where the officer ordered Burton to the ground. But police that's when there was a struggle.
Chief Craig says the veteran African-American officer believed his life was in danger and fired a single gunshot, killing Burton.
Investigators are expected to present their findings to the Wayne County Prosecutor Monday for review.
