Detroit police officers have found themselves in the crosshairs for the third time in as many weeks, this time on the city's east side. According to FOX 2 Detroit, shots rang out near Harper Avenue and Seneca Street just before 8 p.m. on Monday as officers conducted a traffic stop with the driver outside of his vehicle.
No injuries were reported, but the resolve of the Detroit Police Department (DPD) seems to have been emboldened by the shooter's brazen actions. "This is absolutely unacceptable and ridiculous," Detroit Police Chief James White told reporters, offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the shooter. Earlier, a blue pick-up truck had opened fire on officers on the city's west side, and days before that, an investigation of a carjacking ended with shots fired at yet another group of Detroit officers, per FOX 2.
White emphasized the severity of these incidences while addressing the media, stating, "It's ridiculous and unnecessary for someone to take a shot at a Detroit police officer in the course of them performing their duties," as reported by CBS Detroit. He mentioned that the Detroit police are canvassing the area for any leads and are pulling surveillance footage to advance the investigation.
Dedicated to their duty, the department is seeking community support to find the individual or individuals behind these perilous acts. "These isolated incidents don't reflect the entire community, but they're serious enough that we're gonna stay here until we identify the person who's responsible for it," White expressed in a statement obtained by CBS Detroit. Tips can be offered to the DPD's Detroit Rewards TV or through Crime Stoppers, significantly, at 1-800-SPEAK-UP as per clickondetroit.
