Skip to main content
Cloudy icon
41º

Detroit police Officer Glenn Doss dies after shooting on city's east side

Doss shot in head while responding to domestic violence call

Officer Glenn Doss died Jan. 28, 2018. He had a 9-month-old child. (WDIV)

DETROIT – A Detroit police officer died Sunday afternoon after he was shot by a 43-year-old man on the city's east side, police said.

Officer Glenn Doss, 25, was shot in his head Wednesday when a gunman opened fire on Detroit police in the 5500 block of McDougall Street near East Kirby Street, police said.

Read: Man faces multiple felonies in connection with shooting of Detroit police Officer Glenn Doss

He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, and remained in critical condition Thursday during surgeries. He died Sunday afternoon at the hospital.

Doss was responding to domestic violence call

Police said they received a call around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday about a man assaulting his wife, and another woman called to say a man might have fired gunshots.

Arriving officers said they saw Decharlos Brooks standing outside a home with a weapon. Police said he took a stance and fired shots at the police squad cars.

Doss was in the passenger seat of his squad car and was shot two times. Another Detroit police squad car was hit by bullets, but no other officers were hurt.

Brooks then barricaded himself inside the home until officers threw tear gas into the home, police said. He tried to escape, but was captured.

Doss was on the force for about two years. He had a 9-month-old son.

"It's somber, we've had too many losses in our department. We've had too many injured officers," said Asst. Detroit Police Chief Arnold Williams. "It's hard. It's a hard job, and we're doing it for the community. Sometimes, people lose that perspective."

Family says suspected shooter has mental illness

Brooks' family said he has a mental condition.

"We have tried to get help for him," Nichol Cummings, his sister-in-law, said. "We don't know what happened last night."

Cummings said her sister called her in a panic Wednesday night, saying her husband had a gun and was raging at her and their children.

"She said she is really scared, something is not right with him," Cummings said. "'He's got a gun.'"

Cummings' niece called Detroit police for help. When Doss and his partner arrived, police said Brooks was outside and immediately opened fire on them.

"I have friends in law enforcement," Cummings said. "I have lost friends in the line of duty. I am so sorry for my sister, my niece, nephews and this man and his baby. I am so sorry."

Did the family see it coming? They said Brooks began having seizures two years ago, and his mental health deteriorated. His wife said she started to worry about him.

"I just think she recently started getting scared," Cummings said.

Officer's father asked police for prayers

Doss' father asked fellow officers to pray for his son while rushing to the hospital.

Doss' father is a current member of the Detroit Police Department. He has been with the department for 19 years, but was off duty at the time of the shooting.

After the shooting, Doss' father was heard over police radio saying he was rushing to the hospital. He asked fellow officers to pray for his son.

You can listen to the full audio below:

-- Audio courtesy of Broadcastify.com

Police said Brooks has an assault charge on his record. He has previous violence and gun charges, but no convictions.

Click here to visit the GoFundMe page for Doss.


About the Authors
Shawn Ley headshot

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

Loading...

Recommended Videos