ROSEVILLE, Mich. – No criminal charges are being filed against a Roseville police officer who shot and killed an armed man in April after an investigation left the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office without “any evidence to substantiate” charges against the officer.
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday, May 18, that it had concluded its investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting of Roseville man Frank Robles, 57. On April 26, Robles was shot several times by Roseville officer Chad Lee, who was one of two officers responding to a car crash that involved Robles.
On April 26, two Roseville police officers responded to a crash on Groesbeck Highway between 12 Mile and Martin roads. Robles was traveling southbound on Groesbeck Highway in a Chevy Silverado when he crossed into oncoming traffic, crashing nearly head-on with a semi truck.
Witnesses said that when they approached Robles to check on him after the crash, Robles produced a knife and had cuts on his wrists. When police arrived at the scene and approached Robles, he was armed with a knife, officials said.
Watch: Police share crash, body cam footage after man shot, killed by Roseville officer
The two Roseville police officers at the scene -- Lee and a female officer -- repeatedly commanded Robles to drop the knife, but he did not. Officials say Lee began retreating away from Robles, but Robles continued walking toward him.
Officer Lee then fired several shots at Robles, who fell to the ground. Officials say that when the 57-year-old man attempted to get back up, still holding the knife, the same officer fired several more shots at Robles.
Nine shots were fired in total by Lee only, officials said. Robles was reportedly struck by bullets several times, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Following the shooting, both officers were placed on paid leave while the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office stepped in to investigate the incident, as is protocol.
The sheriff’s office said Wednesday that investigators met with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and “reviewed the investigation in its entirety,” and found that “no criminal charges are warranted for officer Chad Lee.”
The sheriff’s office has officially closed their investigation.
Robles was a custodian for Roseville Community Schools for the last four years.
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