Detroit – A Detroit police officer and a man wielding an assault-style weapon were fatally shot on the west side of the city Wednesday night, Detroit Police Chief James White said.
White said the officer and his accomplice responded to a call at around 7.30 p.m. Wednesday when a man fired a gun. He said that when officers arrived, they were met by a man who was armed with an assault-style weapon and was firing in his direction.
White said one officer was killed and his accomplice opened fire, leaving the man badly injured. The injured officer was later declared brought dead at the hospital.
“With a heavy heart… I have to inform my department and my community that today we lost one of our heroes,” White told reporters outside the hospital. “A very sad and tragic incident.”
The officer killed was not immediately identified, but White said he was a veteran of five years with the department and “comes from a long history of law enforcement officers.” White said the officer’s father had recently retired from the department.
“The officers are heartbroken,” White said.
No further details were immediately available. An investigation is ongoing.