DETROIT – The family of a Detroit man killed in a shootout involving Michigan State Police spoke to Local 4 Monday morning, saying they will seek justice.
The shooting happened in the 20000 block of Murray Hill, near the Lodge and 8 Mile, just after 4:30 a.m. on May 5, 2025.
According to Michigan State Police, troopers assigned to its auto theft team were involved, and a 23-year-old Detroit man was killed during the exchange of gunfire.
Dameka Gray said she learned that her cousin was shot and killed after her aunt called her screaming.
“I just ran out of the house and ran to her,” Gray said. “He was a sweetheart.”
“Go talk to your people while they’re here,” she said while fighting through tears. “It’s not a good feeling. It’s not.”
Tony Hunter spoke with Local 4 regarding his younger brother’s death.
“He looked up to me, I looked up to him,” he said. “He didn’t do no wrong.”
He said his brother was sitting on the front porch of their home when an unmarked police car pulled up.
“My little brother called my name; he called for me to come out,” Hunter recalled. “As soon as I started running, all I hear is gunshots.”
Hunter said his brother is not the type to pull out a gun and shoot at police. “That’s not my brother. That’s not him,” he said.
“These cops came unmarked, no vests,” he continued. He said police didn’t announce who they were until after they shot at his brother.
“They waited until my little brother was already laid out in the middle of the street to go put a vest on,” Hunter said.
“We’re definitely going to get justice for this,” Hunter’s sister said. “Justice for my brother. Long live my brother.”
The man’s family said he was a night owl, “a protector,” and would often stay up late. “He watches over his family,” a family member said.
During a press conference on May 5, just after 8 a.m., Michigan State Police initially reported that troopers were working undercover in the area when the 23-year-old man came out of a house and allegedly shot three times at the troopers. Police later sent out a correction, saying the man jumped out of his car and shot an unknown amount of rounds at troopers.
State troopers returned fire, killing the Detroit man. A trooper was shot in the leg, back and vest.
The trooper shot was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital for treatment. Police told Local 4 the trooper is in serious condition but is expected to be okay.
