A Dearborn Police officer is on paid administrative leave, after shooting and killing an unarmed suspect Wednesday afternoon.
Sources tell us 36-year-old Kevin Mathews is the suspect who was shot several times.
Police say Mathews, a suspect wanted for a probation violation out of Redford, and also a theft earlier in the day in Dearborn, was spotted by the officer.
They say there was a foot chase through a neighborhood near Tireman and Greenfield, on the border of Detroit and Dearborn. The officer and suspect got into a physical encounter, with a struggle taking place over the officer's weapon.
Investigators say several shots were fired and the suspect was killed on scene.
The family of Mathews claims he was not a violent person, and would never run from police. They admit he has dealt with police several times, but always would cooperate.
In regards to the police, his sister tells us, "You are here to protect us, not kill us."
The shooting technically happened in Detroit, and now it's police department is handling the investigation.
Chief James Craig says, "Certainly there's evidence of a struggle. There's a witness that says there was a struggle."
He went on to say the suspect was no stranger to police or businesses in the area, claiming there have been several complaints about the man.
We're told Mathews was battling a "slight mental illness." He leaves behind two children.
A news conference is scheduled for Thursday morning by community activists and the National Action Network, looking for answers.
It will be held at 10:30am at King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit.
