Detroit — A Detroit police officer shot a teen who was armed with a weapon after they fled police, according to the Police Department.
The person was struck several times, said Jasmine Barmore, the Detroit Police Department media director.
It marks the second consecutive year that gunfire rang out downtown ahead of the annual fireworks show. Last year, two people were hurt after police said a 19-year-old man opened fire after getting involved in a fight with a 17-year-old.
In Monday’s incident, a large police presence could be seen at a parking lot near the intersection of Farmer and Bates streets in downtown Detroit, where police arrested at about 6:24 p.m. a 19-year-old who was found with a weapon. During the arrest, another individual from the group began walking away from the area, said Detroit police media director Jasmine Barmore. The person, who police said was armed, fled on foot, she said.
“Officers gave chase. During the pursuit the officer, fearing for his safety and the safety of the public, fired shots from his department issued handgun,” she said.
The person who was struck was being treated at a local hospital.
A weapon was recovered at the scene. Police blocked off Bates Street from Cadillac Square to Randolph Street with police tape. An SUV could be seen from the parking lot with an open liftgate.
A gang intelligence officer spotted the man with a gun, said a police source with knowledge of the incident.
“At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the public,” Barmore said.
The shooting remains under investigation, and “additional details will be provided as they become available,” she said.
The shooting occurred against a backdrop of the Ford Fireworks, where thousands of people have gathered to await the start of the display, and after the city expanded its temporary fireworks teen curfew. The curfew began at 8 p.m. Monay for unacompaied minors under 18 and ends at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Some City Council members said recent “teen takover” events that have sparked violence in the city and in other cities was a part of the reason for approving the temporary curfew.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Officer fires shots, striking armed person in downtown Detroit, police say
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Max Reinhart, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
