Detroit police will not be charged in 2020 with shooting Hakim Littleton

DETROIT – Prosecutors reported Wednesday whether or not Detroit police officers involved in the deadly attack on a civilian in 2020 will be charged.

Wayne County Attorney Kym Worthy announced Wednesday that no charges will be filed against officers involved in the Hakim Littleton deadly shooting on July 20, 2020, which occurred in the McNichols Road and San Juan Drive area. , just west of Livernois.

Digne showed video and still images of the incident on Tuesday during a press conference.

“Following a thorough investigation of the case by the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Detroit Police Department (DPD) Homicide Task Force, and an independent review of the case by the WCPO Public Integrity Unit (PIU) ), it has been determined that no charges will be issued against the three officers involved in the deadly shooting of Hakim Littleton, “a Worthy press release said on Wednesday. “The police acted in self-defense and defense of others.”

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According to Worthy, the use of deadly force by Detroit police officers was justified because of their belief that Littleton posed an imminent threat of danger or death to themselves and others around them, according to the policy of the DPD.

“The events of July 10, 2020 were captured on DPD cameras used in the body and video of the police control camera. Mr. Littleton witnessed the arrest of his friend in a residential neighborhood. While Mr. Littleton was retrieving a pistol from his trouser pocket, an officer, who had no navy, approached him. Mr. Littleton fired at the officer nearby. Even after Mr. Littleton was wounded on the ground, he remained a mortal threat. He was armed and continued to fire shots, endangering all officers and civilians on the street. Officers fired their weapons at Mr. Littleton stopping the threat. They acted in defense of the officer, in defense of fellow officers, themselves and civilians who were near the scene.

“It has been widely reported and misrepresented that Mr Littleton’s weapon was fired from him before an officer fired a final shot at Mr Littleton. That fact is simply not true and is not supported by video evidence. Mr. Littleton had the gun in his hand pointing it in the direction of the officer who was trying to stop him when a fellow officer shot Mr. Littleton.This is a clear case of self-defense and defense of others. prosecutors, we are accused of following the facts and the law. The facts and the applicable law in this case do not allow any charges in Mr. Littleton’s fatal shooting because it was justified. “

Wayne County Attorney Kym Worthy

You can read the entire press release from the Dignified Prosecutor below.

According to Detroit Police Chief James Craig, officers were looking for a person involved in a July 4 shooting that left five people injured and three more dead. Officers say that when they found the suspect, another man approached them. Somehow a fight ensued and an officer put that man, later identified as Littleton, in some sort of cellar. That’s when officers say Littleton opened fire.

Littleton reportedly began firing several times at the police officer over the shoulder. While this was happening, the officer pulled him away and that was when additional officers who feared for his life fired several rounds hitting Littleton.

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The 20-year-old man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After Littleton’s death, protests erupted in Detroit over the shooting. The July incident occurred while there were still protests in downtown Detroit to denounce police brutality after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd, a black man, who killed him in May 2020 .

Protesters, as well as members of Littleton’s family, believed the 20-year-old’s death was unjustified and that non-lethal means should have been used to take him into custody.

Month: Protesters march in Detroit’s 12th police district after a deadly shooting

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In response to the protests, the Detroit Police Department released footage of the body of the shooting, in hopes of “fighting rumors about the incident circulating on social media,” officials said.

Speaking to Local 4 last year, DPD chief Craig backed the actions his officers took in connection with the shooting, which he believes are necessary for evidence of the published video.

“As you can see in the video, our agents were fired. The next suspect was about two or three feet away and was pointing a gun at the officer’s head. This hero, who responded quickly to try to mitigate the violence, ran, didn’t even get a chance to pull out his gun and was concerned about his safety and the safety of his partners. And you ask me how we respond to a situation like that, which was developing so fast, amazing, ”Craig said.

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Still, despite video evidence, Littleton’s brother Rashad Littleton-Schaefer refused to believe how the incident unfolded.

“I want Chief James Craig to stop lying because it makes no sense. He told police, “Good job.” And that’s not a good job in the city of Detroit, “said Rashad.

Chief Craig has continued to hold the actions of his officers.

“Clearly, when you watch this video, the agent responded appropriately,” Craig said. “It was definitely a threat to his own life and that of his teammates.”

Read more: Hakim Littleton’s brother talks and wants to meet with Detroit city officials

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