A funeral for a young car crash victim erupted into chaos Friday evening when gunfire broke out outside a Detroit church, leaving five people wounded, including the suspected shooter.
Mourners had gathered at Greater Love Tabernacle Church on Plymouth Road to pay their respects when a fight broke out shortly before 6 p.m. as people were leaving the service, according to police.
Authorities said the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several shots into the crowd, striking four people. An officer who had been stationed nearby immediately returned fire, hitting the gunman before taking him into custody.
The officer was not injured.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison praised the officer’s actions, saying the quick response may have prevented an even greater tragedy.
“Our officer is absolutely a hero,” Bettison said. “You don’t come to work expecting to have to do this, but the officer saw the threat and took action.”
The four victims were all in their 20s and were struck in the lower part of their bodies, Mayor Mary Sheffield said. All of them are expected to survive.
Police said officers had been posted near the funeral because authorities had received intelligence suggesting there could be trouble, although investigators have not yet said what caused the fight or what led the gunman to open fire.
Sheffield said her thoughts were with the victims, their families and the congregation.
“A place of worship should be safe,” the mayor said. “I want to thank the Detroit Police Department for the intelligence work that put officers in position to protect this congregation, and for the courage they showed today.”
The church later released a statement saying it was cooperating with investigators and believed the situation could have been far worse.
“We have been praying every day at noon and sincerely believe God’s covering interceded what could have been worse,” the church said.
The funeral home also issued a statement expressing support for everyone affected by the shooting.
“Our hearts are with the individuals who were injured, their families, and everyone impacted by this senseless act of violence,” the statement read. “What should have been a time for remembrance, healing and support was disrupted by an incident that has affected our entire community.”
Officials said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The investigation remains ongoing.
