Suspect is arrested in shooting death of Detroit officer, wounding of four

Richard Schwab grieved at the Detroit building where a fellow officer, Brian Huff, 42, was fatally shot yesterday. (David Coates/ The Detroit News via Associated Press)

Associated Press / May 4, 2010

DETROIT — A 25-year-old suspect in a shooting that killed a Detroit police officer and wounded four others yesterday has a past drug conviction and a history of assaults involving police, authorities said.

Police said Officer Brian Huff, 42, was killed when he and four other officers responded to a report of gunshots at a vacant duplex where a neighbor said drugs were sold.

It was the first time in five years that a Detroit police officer was killed in the line of duty, Police Chief Warren Evans said. Two of the four wounded officers were treated and released, the two still hospitalized were expected to recover, and another officer suffered a sprained ankle, Evans said.

The suspect, whose name was not released pending formal charges, was arrested after fleeing the house, police said. He was shot once in the lower back and was being treated at a hospital, police said.

Evans said the suspect had past convictions for fleeing police and attempting to disarm a police officer. The man was sentenced to three years of probation in December 2007 for attempting to disarm a police officer and cocaine possession. He did not show up in April 2008 for a probation appointment and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Evans said the man was last arrested in November on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, but was released on bond.

Evans said officers went to the two-story building about 3:30 a.m. after a next-door neighbor reported hearing shots.

The officers who responded to the call yesterday positioned themselves at the front and rear entrances of the building, Evans said. He said officers at the front of the house were met with heavy gunfire. Huff was shot inside the home and was struck two or three times, Evans said.

“It’s a tough time for all of us,’’ said Evans. “We’re all kind of in a state of shock.’’

Huff, on the job for 12 years, had a 10-year-old son.

Evans and Mayor Dave Bing visited the slain officer’s widow at St. John’s Hospital in Detroit.

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