DEARBORN — A police officer shot and killed a 33-year-old Dearborn man Dec. 18, after the man walked into the police station lobby and attempted to shoot the officer with a stolen gun.
The man — reportedly Ali Haji — had a history of mental illness, according to Michigan State Police, which is investigating the incident.
About 3:30 p.m., Haji entered the front entrance of the police station and produced a handgun, according to Dearborn police. He attempted to fire the gun at the uniformed officer behind the front desk. The gun reportedly malfunctioned, upon which the officer shot multiple rounds at the man which struck him.
Police secured the scene and rendered aid to the man, who was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
No officers were injured in the incident, police said.
“The gun that was used was stolen between an hour, hour-and-a-half priorate the event,” Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said.
“We do have a mental health crisis,” he said. “We’re seeing it across the nation, we’re seeing it across Michigan, we’re especially seeing it in the city of Detroit.
“Ambush attacks on police officers are going through the roof right now. This individual pointed a gun at a police officer and pulled the trigger.”