Wayne State University police officer shot near campus
DETROIT — A suspect was arrested Tuesday night in the shooting of a Wayne State University police officer who was fighting for his life and undergoing surgery, authorities say.
The arrested man is believed to be the person of interest described on the university's website and linked to a blue mountain bike, which was found at the scene of the shooting at 6:45 p.m. ET several blocks southwest of the Wayne State campus.
"The officer is very critical," Wayne State Police Chief Anthony Holt said during a news conference with Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson.
Holt said the officer was patroling the area off campus when he stopped to investigate a man. A back-up officer was en route and found the officer on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound.
At least half a dozen police agencies participated in a massive manhunt, including Detroit police, Wayne County sheriff's deputies, Michigan State Police, and federal agents from several agencies. One officer at the scene, who declined to give his name, said the Wayne State officer had been shot in the head and was at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
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The officer was shot in front of the aging Lincoln Apartments, in sight of the Motor City Casino's shimmering neon lights in an area of weedy vacant lots.
At least three shots were fired, according to Wayne State officials.
A dozen police cars as well as emergency vehicles surrounded the area, and officers had the entire block closed in front of the building.
The Lincoln Apartments manager, Betty Evans, said she witnessed the shooting. She said she had argued with a man on a bicycle, who didn't live there, and called 911 when he wouldn't leave the area. She looked outside as the officer arrived.
"He was outside, in front. The officer was trying to get his hands behind his back. We heard a shot and the officer went down, and we heard two more shots," Evans said.
"I'm just praying everything works out. They have condolences for this. I feel sorry for the officer. I hate the crime that's going on in the city."
Said Wilson: "This is one of the worst calls a president of a university can get."
Holt said the officer, a five-year veteran of the department, is the first WSU officer to be shot on duty.
He called the 29-year-old officer “one of the best officers I know," adding: “He does a lot of community service. He reaches out to kids. This is a real member of the community.”