Eastbound I-96 turned into a parking lot near Middlebelt Road last night, as Michigan State Police shut down all lanes to investigate a reported freeway shooting and comb the pavement for evidence. Drivers were pushed onto surface streets and stuck in heavy backups while troopers and crime scene crews worked the scene.
State police launched the investigation after a report of shots fired on the eastbound stretch near Middlebelt, with crews actively searching the roadway, according to The Metro Detroit News. The outlet reported that all lanes were closed Tuesday evening, and that authorities had not yet released details on injuries or what might have led up to the incident.
Another case in a growing freeway trend
This latest shutdown lands on top of a broader rise in incidents on Metro Detroit highways that has led to a string of temporary closures in recent months. As reported by WXYZ, the region has seen a notable spike in freeway shootings since last summer, with several cases on I-96 and other major routes triggering multi-hour investigations.
What troopers are looking for out there
When a call like this comes in, troopers typically shut down lanes so they can scan the roadway for shell casings, pull and review any available video, and track down witnesses. Those steps can keep traffic at a standstill for quite a while, even when answers are slow to materialize. Past reporting shows that some of these investigations end up tied to road-rage disputes or conflicting accounts rather than immediate ballistic confirmation, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
What drivers should do next
State police and local outlets are expected to release more details once evidence collection wraps up and investigators sort through what they have. Broadcasters and traffic services usually alert drivers when lanes reopen, so anyone planning to travel I-96 in that area should keep an eye on live traffic maps and local news before heading out.
