DETROIT – A man in his 60s who was having a mental health crisis shot three people on Detroit’s east side.
The incident occurred on Monday (July 15) at 8:57 p.m. on Gratiot Avenue and Van Dyke. when the man walked into a gas station, agitated by some situation, stating that he had people following him.
“The man exits the station and walks back to his vehicle when random citizens pull in, and he fires indiscriminately nine times, striking three people,” said Detroit police Chief James White. “We know four people are injured, which we can confirm at this time that three are confirmed shot.”
Officials say they responded within two minutes and arrested the man without incident.
DPD said they are investigating what brought the man to the gas station and if he had a history of mental illness.
The three people that were shot were a pregnant woman in her 20s. She is listed in critical condition as she was transferred to a Metro Detroit hospital.
There was a man in his 30s and another woman in her 20s. White said the fourth person was a woman who was injured. He said he didn’t believe she was shot.
White said he could be heard saying he was tired of kids and people following him.
“He just had random conversation about how he was tired of kids and people following him,” White said. “Ultimately, he comes out and fires. As people are trying to enter the building, thank goodness additional people couldn’t get in as he waived them off when he was inside, or it could’ve been a lot more tragic than it is.”
White said the man at the time of the shooting had a medical bracelet on his arm.
“This is tragic,” White said. “This is not necessary. We’ve been here before, talking about mental health and gun violence, and we’re doing everything as a police department we can in the community to continue to stay vigilant. Our officers got here in two minutes. I’m convinced we would’ve had a lot more people shot if they’re not.”