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Detroit Police Department shot and killed a woman during an alleged mental health crisis

Detroit, Michigan.
Rudy Malmquist
/
Getty Images
Detroit, Michigan.

A 27 year old woman is dead after being shot by Detroit police responding to a mental health crisis last night. Three officers are on leave as Michigan State Police investigate.

Chief James White says DPD was responding to a 911 call placed by a family member that indicated the woman was threatening others with a firearm. He says while some family members were able to leave the premises, two young children were inside the home when officers arrived.

“When they rushed into the house, she reaches or runs towards the gun, gets the gun and then there’s a struggle between the first officer inside the home and her and they’re wrestling back and forth. And another officer fires.” said White.

White says the woman did not fire the weapon. He says four rounds were discharged by officers at the scene. DPD is not naming the woman or the officers involved.

Eli Newman is assistant news director and editor. He works with the WKAR news and digital content teams to facilitate the creation of meaningful and thought-provoking multimedia news content for WKAR Public Media.