DETROIT, MI – A Detroit police officer is facing potential charges after a traffic stop led to a shooting incident on the city’s east side. The officer, now suspended with pay, fired six shots at a woman following a brief chase.
Residents Jon and Geneva Montgomery, who live near the scene at Concord and Outer Drive, witnessed the dramatic event unfold on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The initial police report suggested the incident began with a traffic stop for speeding, tinted windows, and an obscured license plate near Van and Savage.
According to Police Chief Todd Bettison, the female driver initially refused to comply by not providing her license or exiting the vehicle. However, a review of the officer’s body-cam footage revealed that the woman did comply and even requested a supervisor, calling 911 in front of the officer.
Chief Bettison acknowledged the body-cam footage contradicted his initial statements. He noted that if a supervisor had been called, the situation might have been resolved differently. The department’s policy permits pursuits only for violent crimes and prohibits boxing in a suspect, as was seen in the video.
The footage further showed that the woman attempted to drive away, not towards the officers, leading Bettison to conclude that the shots fired were unwarranted. “We do not shoot at moving vehicles unless it’s an extreme circumstance where life is in jeopardy,” he stated.
The woman involved has since been released from both the hospital and police custody. The officer, who joined the force less than two years ago, is currently under investigation by the Michigan State Police. Chief Bettison is advocating for the officer to be suspended without pay.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office will determine if charges will be filed against the officer. Meanwhile, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners is set to reconvene in early November to discuss the matter further.