MI Police Release Video of Fatal Shooting of Armed Man Inside Police Station

Police in Dearborn, MI, released video as part of a critical incident briefing related to an officer-involved shooting inside the police station lobby in December.

A front desk officer confronts an armed gunman who entered the lobby in December.A front desk officer confronts an armed gunman who entered the lobby in December.Dearborn Police Department

Dearborn Police (MI) have released video footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting of a man who walked into a police station and tried to shoot an officer in December.

On Dec. 18, 33-year-old Ali Naji entered the Dearborn police station and attempted to shoot at an officer in the lobby. His gun malfunctioned, and during that time, the police officer behind the front desk fatally shot him.

“The officer in question responded with lethal force, prompting an investigation by the Michigan State Police and a thorough review by the Wayne County prosecutor. The investigation and review by these outside agencies were separate from our own internal review to ensure that any conclusions were fair and independent,” says Dearborn Chief Issa Shahin as he narrates the critical incident community briefing released Thursday. “Now that the investigation is fully concluded, we are releasing this video to the public to ensure transparency and accountability.”

Shahin explains surveillance footage shows the subject, Naji, entering his former place of work and stealing a handgun, then concealing it pants before leaving.  Within approximately 10 minutes of leaving the salon, he arrived at the police station in a black SUV.

In the briefing, the chief explains the police station lobby was busy with foot traffic from residents, including families due to the holiday events in the immediate vicinity, as well as a holiday toy drive that was taking place in the lobby.

Once inside the police lobby, Naji proceeded directly to the desk. The officer acknowledged his presence and asked “How are you doing?” Naji immediately pulled out a gun, aimed at the officer, and pulled the trigger. After pulling the trigger, he experienced a malfunction of the firearm. He checked the weapon, removed the magazine, then put the magazine back in the gun and attempted to rack the slide to resolve the malfunction.

The officer is heard on video yelling “gun” repeatedly to alert fellow officers inside the station.

“When the officer engaged the threat, he discharged 17 rounds in a span of 4.5 seconds. In doing so, the officer acted in accordance with departmental training and guidelines on confronting lethal threats,” says Shahin.

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