Detroit cops shoot woman who opened fire on ‘repo man,’ police chief says

Detroit police shot a woman Thursday on the city’s east side after she allegedly opened fire on a man who was repossessing her vehicle.

The woman was struck multiple times in an arm and possibly a leg, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said at the scene. He described her injuries as serious, but non-life-threatening.

Bettison said officers on routine patrol saw a woman firing shots at a truck and a man at 2:58 p.m. Thursday in the 10900 block of Nottingham Road.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the repossession took place about a block away and the repossession agent drove the woman’s vehicle to the location of the shooting to secure it.

“We believe at this time … that the car owner came and tried to stop the repossession, said something to the effect of ‘You’re stealing my car’ and fired multiple shots at the repo man and his truck,” Bettison said.

Officers saw the woman firing at the man, who was unarmed, and opened fire on her. Police said she was being treated for her injuries and would survive.

“It could be a lot worse,” Bettison said. “I’m glad that our officers weren’t injured. I’m glad the repo man wasn’t injured.”

Police plan to submit a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of charges.

The woman’s weapon was recovered at the scene, along with “a lot of” shell casings, police said.

Bettison noted that June is recognized as Gun Violence Awareness Month and urged residents to “think” before using a firearm.

“A person should never resort to violence over property,” he said.

mreinhart@detroitnews.com

@max_detroitnews