WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A US federal agent shot and killed in Detroit, Michigan an African American robbery suspect that was armed with a hammer, after the suspect allegedly approached and threatened the agent, according to media reports.
“The 20-year-old armed robbery suspect who was fatally shot by a federal agent on Monday was ‘armed with a hammer,’” The Detroit News reported on Tuesday.
Police: Man killed by federal agent was armed with hammer http://t.co/YA3LhxnuqF pic.twitter.com/ECPRCtn4kO
— Metro Detroit Crime (@CrimeInTheD) April 28, 2015
Around the time of the suspect’s shooting at 1:13 p.m. (6:15 p.m. GMT), US Marshals and the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team were serving a warrant related to the robbery, local media said.
The shooting took place on Detroit’s west side, where African American residents constitute a majority. Detroit’s Police Chief James Craig appeared on the scene to calm residents that the police action was lawful and justified.
The incident in Detroit is occurring at a time when US police and African American communities in some cities in the United States have experienced tension.
Craig met with the family members of the African American man, Terrance Kellom, who was killed by the federal agent.
Kellom was wanted for armed robbery of a pizza deliveryman and felony firearm possession, and was as a habitual offender, local media reported.
“We’re going to interview all the witnesses,” Craig was quoted as saying by local media.
Craig also said he also plans to meet with community leaders and residents within 48 hours, according to local media.
