DETROIT – A man accused of fatally shooting a Detroit police sergeant was due in court Wednesday morning for murder charges to be amended but was not present for proceedings again.
Charges were added Monday for Marquise Cromer, 21, to include first-degree murder and murder of a peace officer after Sgt. Kenneth Steil died over the weekend. A not-guilty plea was entered Wednesday on his behalf.
Steil was shot during a pursuit Sept. 12 and died Saturday. He was 46.
Accoring to authorities, Cromer was not present in the courtroom Tuesday due to his combative and unresponsive behavior. He refused to leave his cell Wednesday.
Cromer was originally charged with the following:
- Three count assault with intent to murder
- One count of resisting and obstructing a police officer causing serious impairment
- Three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer
- One count of possession of a short barreled shotgun
- Firearms discharge in a building causing injury
- Felony firearms violations
“Make no mistake about it: the alleged actions of Defendant Cromer led to the tragic death of Sgt. Steil and we will aggressively ensure that justice is done,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.
Defense attorney Sanford Schulman says he hasn't been able to meet with Cromer.
The Wayne County prosecutor's office says Cromer has been referred for competency and criminal responsibility evaluations. His next hearing is set for Dec. 15.
What happened
The charges against Cromer stem from two different cases.
According to police, Cromer shot his father at a home in the 2100 block of Dickerson Street just the day before Steil was shot at the gas station on 7 Mile Road.
Sterling Cromer, 62, was shot while he was eating dinner with his wife Sept. 11 at about 5 p.m.
Police said Marquise Cromer went upstairs and came down with a sawed-off shotgun, then shot his father in the foot. While Cromer was trying to reload, the parents were able to escape the home, according to police.
Authorities say Marquise Cromer suffers from depression.
READ: Dad shot during dinner at home in Detroit
Police were searching for Cromer when the Detroit Police Department received a call with information that Cromer was seen in a restaurant in the 15000 block of 7 Mile Road.
Officers saw Cromer run from the restaurant to a Sunoco gas station at 7 Mile Road and Hayes Street. Steil, a 20-year veteran with the department, was pursuing Cromer and when he came around a corner he was shot in the shoulder.
Steil was taken to St. John Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to make a full recovery, but as hospital staff were preparing to send him home, the officer collapsed and suffered a medical issue that killed him.
After the shooting, police say Marquise Cromer tried to hop a fence but was tackled by backup officers. A sawed-off shotgun was recovered during the arrest.
READ: Arrest made in Detroit police sergeant’s shooting at gas station
Police mourn loss of sergeant
Steil’s colleagues said his actions at the gas station Sept. 12 illustrate the type of leader he was.
“A cop takes the job seriously,” Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt said. “Kenny took it seriously. He went after the bad guy.”
Steil was a member of the department’s underwater recovery team. He was affectionately known as “Shark.”
“Kenny put his life on the line literally for the city,” Dolunt said. “Unfortunately his wife and two kids don’t have him anymore.”
His family kept him on life support long enough for his organs to be harvested.
Steil leaves behind a wife, JoAnn, and two boys, ages 3 and 5.
Funeral arrangements
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Wujek Calcaterra & Sons Funeral home located at 36900 Schoenherr Road in Sterling Heights.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church located 22412 Overlake Street in St. Clair Shores.
Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery at 18201 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township.
Police said donations can be made for Steil's boy's college fund at the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.
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