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Law enforcers gather at Sinai Grace for a vigil and in case blood donations were needed. (Photo: Detroit Police/Twitter)
♦ Update: The fatally wounded officer, Loren Courts, is survived by a wife, son and daughter.
♦ Slain Detroit officer Loren Courts' widow and officials post tributes to 'an amazing dad'
A Detroit police officer and a suspect were fatally shot Wednesday around 7:40 p.m. near Joy Road and Marlowe Street on the west side.
Second Precinct officers responded to a call of shots fired round 7:30 p.m., the department said. Shortly after they arrived, the officer was shot and rushed to nearby Sinai Grace Hospital. Another officer fatally wounded the 19-year-old suspect.
Chief James White said at a press conference streamed on Facebook that the officer was a five-year veteran of the force and his father had recently retired from the department.
Loren Courts (Photo: Detroit Police, via DC Chriss/Facebook)
"Just a tragic event. We lost a hero today," White said, adding that fellow officers are heartbroken. "The violence in this country is outrageous."
Mayor Mike Duggan also spoke, offering condolences to the family and later issued a statement:.
“The senseless violence ravaging our country has hit far too close to home tonight. We owe a debt of gratitude to our fallen officer, a debt that we can never repay. He gave his life to serve his city and keep his fellow Detroiters safe. Our entire city is holding his family in our hearts tonight and will be with them every step of the way in the difficult days ahead.”
The slain suspect's name wasn't immediately released. A press conference is scheduled Thursday afternoon at police headquarters
