Detroit police will not be charged with shooting Hakim Littleton in 2020

DETROIT – Prosecutors released an update on Wednesday on whether or not Detroit police officers involved in the 2020 deadly shooting of a civilian will be charged.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced on Wednesday that no charges will be filed against officers involved in the fatal shooting of Hakim Littleton, July 20, 2020, which took place in the area of McNichols Road and San Juan Drive, just west from Livernois.

Worthy showed video and still images of the incident at a press conference Wednesday.

Following a thorough investigation of the case by the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Detroit Police Department (DPD) Homicide Task Force and an independent review of the case by the WCPO Public Integrity Unit (PIU), it has been determined that there will be no Charges are being filed against the three agents involved in the fatal shooting of Hakim Littleton, ”Worthy said on Wednesday. “The police acted in legitimate self-defense and defense of others.”

According to Worthy, the Detroit police’s use of lethal force was justified because of their belief that Littleton posed an imminent threat of danger or death to themselves and others around them, according to DPD policy.

“The events of July 10, 2020 were captured on body-worn DPD cameras and video footage from the police dashboard. Mr. Littleton witnessed his friend being arrested in a residential area. As Mr. Littleton pulled a gun from his pocket, an officer who had not drawn a gun approached him. Mr. Littleton fired at the officer at close range. Even after Mr. Littleton was wounded on the ground, he remained a deadly threat. He was armed and continued to fire shots, endangering all officers and civilians on the street. The officers fired their weapons at Mr. Littleton to stop the threat. They acted in defense of the officer, in defense of fellow officers, themselves and civilians who were near the scene.

It has been widely reported and misrepresented that Mr. Littleton’s gun was kicked away from him before an officer fired a final shot that hit Mr. Littleton. This fact is simply not true, and it is not supported by the video evidence. Mr. Littleton had the gun in his hand and was pointing it in the direction of the officer who was trying to stop it when a fellow officer shot Mr. Littleton. This is a clear case of self defense and defense of others. As prosecutors, we are charged with following the facts and the law. The facts and applicable law in this case do not support any charge of Mr. Littleton’s fatal execution on the grounds that it was justified. “

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy

You can read Prosecutor Worthy’s full press release below.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said agents were looking for a person involved in a July 4 shooting that injured five people and killed three others. Officers say when they found their suspect, they were approached by another man. Somehow a fight took place and an officer placed that man, later identified as Littleton, in some sort of hold. That’s when officers say Littleton opened fire.

Littleton reportedly began firing a number of bullets over his shoulder at the police officer. While that was happening the officer pushed him away and at that point the additional officers fearing for their lives fired several rounds hitting Littleton.

The 20-year-old man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After Littleton’s death, protests broke out in Detroit over the shooting. The July incident occurred while protests were still ongoing in downtown Detroit to denounce police brutality after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd, a black man, and murdered him in May 2020.

Protesters, as well as members of Littleton’s family, believed that the 20-year-old’s death was unjustified and that non-lethal means should have been used to take him into custody.

More: Protesters march to Detroit Police 12th Precinct after deadly shooting

In response to protests, Detroit police released body camera footage of the shooting, hoping to “combat rumors of the incident circulating on social media,” officials said.

In a conversation with Local 4 last year, DPD Chief Craig expressed his support for the actions taken by his officers in relation to the shooting, which he believes are necessary by the evidence in the released video.

“As you saw in the video, our agents were shot at. The next suspect was within two to three feet, and he pointed a gun at the officer’s head. This hero, who then reacted quickly to try to reduce the violence, ran away, didn’t even have a chance to get his weapon, and he was concerned about his safety and the safety of his partners. And you ask me how we respond to a situation like that, which unfolded quickly, unbelievably, ”said Craig.

But despite video evidence, Littleton’s brother Rashad Littleton-Schaefer refused to believe how the incident had played out.

“I want Chief James Craig to stop lying because he doesn’t make any sense. He said to the officer, “Well done.” And that’s not a good job in the city of Detroit, ”said Rashad.

Chief Craig has stood by the actions of his officers ever since.

“Obviously if you watch this video, the officer has responded appropriately,” Craig said. “It certainly threatened his own life and that of his partners.”

Read more: Hakim Littleton’s brother speaks out, wants to meet with Detroit city officials

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