MONROE, Mich. – Two Monroe police officers were injured Tuesday in a shootout with a tenant at an apartment complex, authorities said.
Monroe police Chief Charles McCormick said the department received a call at 9 a.m. Tuesday from a vendor who was doing work at the Washington Arms apartment complex at 725 Washington Street near South Monroe and East Sixth streets.
UPDATE: Man named Simba Lion suspected in shootout
The vendor told police he had been approached by a 40-year-old tenant who had a handgun in a holster. McCormick said the tenant and the vendor were involved in a physical assault of some kind.
Michigan State Police Lt. Brian Oleksyk said the vendor was trying to do work in one of the buildings at the complex when the tenant had contact with him, sparking an argument.
Oleksyk said police believe both the vendor and the tenant might have called 911.
Watch the video below for Koco McAboy’s full update on Local 4 News at Noon.
Monroe police responded to the scene and tried to make contact with the tenant in the hallway, Oleksyk said. The man retreated back to his apartment, police said.
A struggle ensued and the tenant pulled out a gun, according to authorities.
“The officers responded with a tactical response and made contact with the tenant somewhere in the hallway,” McCormick said.
McCormick said two Monroe police officers were struck in their legs. Officers returned fire and the tenant was struck more than once, police said. It’s unclear if return fire was from the injured officers or two other officers who showed up.
“There were two officers who originally responded first, and then sometime during that, another two responded," Oleksyk said. "It’s unclear, out of the four, how many of the four officers returned fire to the suspect.”
The officers were taken to Promedica Hospital, Oleksyk said. One has been treated and released, and the other is expected to be released soon, McCormick said.
“It’s tough,” McCormick said. “It’s a call you never want to get. Thankfully, they’re all going home.”
Officials took the tenant to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. His condition is unclear, but Oleksyk said he required surgery.
One of the injured officers is a supervisor and has been with the department for 17 years, McCormick said. The other officer has been with the department for three or four years, he said.
Their names are not being released at this time.
Monroe police have turned the investigation over to Michigan State Police.
A nearby school was placed on lockdown during the incident, but the lockdown has since been lifted, according to authorities.
Here are some pictures of the scene from Local 4 photojournalist Josh Daunt:
Here’s the full update from McCormick:
Here’s the full update from Oleksyk: