A 16-year-old boy was grazed by a bullet during a confrontation with Detroit police last Thursday, according to several reports. The incident, which included a foot chase, occurred around 7:20 p.m. near Fenkell Avenue and Bramell in the Brightmoor area, in the northwest corner of Detroit. Detroit Police Department Chief James White said that the teen had been suspected of carrying a concealed weapon, which led to the chase and subsequent shooting.
The teen's knee was grazed by at least one bullet during the altercation, police confirmed. Officers had been in the area on a special operation when they encountered the young male who reportedly took off running as they tried to investigate him. WXYZ reported that the shooting was detected by ShotSpotter technology, which confirmed that two gunshots were fired, although it remains unclear who fired them. The teen was taken to the hospital conscious and alert and has since been released from the hospital.
Police recovered the weapon, a stolen 9mm gun, during the chase. The gun had been reported stolen from Dearborn Heights in 2022, Chief White stated. After his hospital treatment, the teenager was released into police custody. No officers were injured in the incident, which is still under investigation by Michigan State Police. FOX 2 Detroit reported that authorities are considering if the suspect shot at the officers first, or if the officers fired at the suspect.
Detailing the police's approach to the investigation, Chief White, in an interview with WWJ Newsradio 950, explained that the entire DPD leadership is involved in cases of officer-involved shootings, including use of force. "Anytime an officer uses force, there's a serious use of force or a critical use of force, the entire command team responds, as well as our investigative assets," he told reporters. The teen is expected to face charges, although his name and age were not released.
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