DETROIT (WWJ) – Detroit Police Chief James White says the department will be cracking down on drag racing and drifting across the city, as the search continues for the suspects who opened fire on a Detroit police car over the weekend.
Police officials say it all unfolded around 4 a.m. Saturday when officers spotted a car that appeared to be involved in drag racing in the area of Davison and Dexter on the city’s west side.
As the officers tried to pull over a newer black Ford Fusion, a suspect hanging out of the car fired eight shots at the squad car, striking the top of it, just above the head of one of the officers, as well as one of the doors.
Video of the incident shows the officers slow down, ask each other if they were ok, and then speed back up in pursuit of the suspects, who fled the officers eastbound on Davison after the shots were fired.
No one was injured in the shooting, and officials say the shooter will be charged with assault with intent to murder.
During a press conference Monday, White said authorities are still searching for the suspects. Officials believe there were a total of four people in the suspect vehicle, possibly two males and two females.
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White said if the other suspects don't come forward, they will be charged as an accessory to assault with intent to murder.
Officials released photos of the suspects who were later seen on surveillance cameras at a gas station.
Police are asking for tips in identifying them. Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes those involved or otherwise knows something about the incident to call the Detroit Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Officials said a female driving the vehicle was in a “very distinctive” blue outfit, including a crop top shirt, blue shorts and what appear to be fuzzy blue shoes.
Two males, including the shooter, were seen wearing black clothing and ski masks. Another female was seen at the gas station with the suspects, wearing a gold t-shirt and black pants.
Cmdr. Tiffany Stewart of the 10th Precinct said it was “incredibly callous" that the suspect "decided to kill because they were infringing on them having fun and getting social media likes."
Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald, calling the incident “horrifying,” said police were lucky to be at a press conference about searching for the suspects rather than planning a funeral for the officers who were shot at.
White later said the department will continue to crack down on drag racing and drifting as we enter the summer months, with Stewart noting "this is what the community wants -- they want enforcement on drag racing."
The chief said drag racing is "a fad" that's seeing an uptick across the country. He said in the year that he's been the city's top cop, he has dealt with some form of drag racing or drifting every summer night.
White shut down any ideas of setting up a designated area for drag racing and drifting.
"My goal is to keep our community safe, not to provide that level of entertainment," White said. "I believe there are raceways still in Michigan, and if you want to drive like that, you should go to one of them, but not on our city streets. I have no room to even think about providing opportunities for people to do that."
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