Police video: Watch traffic stop, gunshots and chase before fatal shooting of Ypsilanti man
Warning: Video contains strong language and gunshots in minutes leading to teen's death.
Unable to see the video in the player above? Watch it on YouTube.
Northville Township police Thursday released a video showing the incidents before this week's fatal police shooting in Washtenaw County, including an exchange of gunfire during a traffic stop and a high-speed chase.
Gabriel Stevenson
Huron High School 2011 yearbook
Gabriel Stevenson was shot and killed by a Michigan State Police trooper early Tuesday morning after he lunged at police with a knife, according to investigators. The video - recorded on a Northville Township patrol car camera - ends before that final confrontation is shown.
The video contains strong language and includes an exchange between 18-year-old Stevenson, who had an apartment in Ypsilanti, and Northville Township police who pulled him over in a 1993 Ford Ranger.
John Werth, Northville Township public safety director, said Thursday that Stevenson was stopped by police after attempting to start a fire at the home of an 18-year-old man who he previously targeted twice.
In the first 23 seconds of the video, officers are responding to the fire. Stevenson’s pickup is pulled over on Six Mile near a landfill. A conversation ensues for the next few minutes.
Stevenson is instructed to leave the vehicle at 4:55. Less than 30 seconds later, he fires at officers, who return shots back at the truck. Gunshots continue to ring out as Stevenson pulls away in the truck.
More coverage
Read more on the shooting of an Ypsilanti man following a police chase
- Former Huron High School classmate of man shot dead after police chase: 'He was just a normal kid'
- Police: Suspect shot and killed after charging troopers with knife
- Fugitive crashes into couple's house: 'We saw a pickup truck right next to the bed'
- Police release name of teenager killed by police after lunging at officers with a knife
- Police video: Watch traffic stop, gunshots and chase before fatal shooting
Officers reach 80 miles per hour as they head west on Six Mile Road through Salem Township, eventually continuing onto a dirt road. At 8:15, Stevenson loses control of the Ford Ranger at a turn in the road and crashes into a home. Police arrive 15 seconds later.
The residents can be seen outside the home at 9:12 and officers can be heard telling Stevenson to get on the ground. A male officer warns Stevenson multiple times he’ll shoot if Stevenson does not comply. The video ends a short time later.
The video ends before Stevenson’s death. He was shot once by a Michigan State Trooper. Police said Stevenson lunged at officers with a knife, but that moment is not shown on the video.
Police found a .22-caliber revolver in the truck after Stevenson was shot and killed.
According to state police, the trooper who killed Stevenson is on administrative leave while an investigation takes place. Deadly forced was authorized by state police prior to Stevenson's death.
Stevenson was a former Huron High School student and played basketball at the school during his freshman and sophomore years. He's been described as a normal kid, but more recently quiet and withdrawn.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Sue
Thu, Feb 28, 2013 : 8:48 a.m.
What a shame this had to happen to a young man who had his whole life ahead of him, until he made some really bad choices and ended up dead because of it.
JS
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 11:32 p.m.
I am a resident of Salem since birth. It is all so strange. If the police knew he set the previous fires, since they say this was the 3rd time he tried to set a home on fire, why was he not arrested the first time? I guess the police were called otherwise wondering why they are out near the outskirts of little Salem town at 2am. My family, cousins, aunts, etc. have lived in Salem for almost 100 years. We are African American. Salem is a quiet peaceful place. I knew the family of the dearly departed. They are not residents of Salem, I went to church with them in Ypsilanti. Was a part of the church's Praise and Worship. His family are very nice people with highly educated parents. This is such a strange tragedy. My prayers are with this family.
Michael Corliss
Tue, Feb 26, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.
JS, the article does not say the police knew he set the fires, just that previous fires were set, and he had a history with the people in the house where this arson was being committed. My prayers are with the parents, suffering a horrific loss. They are also with the officers forced by this young man, for reasons of his own that we may never understand, to shoot him in defense of themselves and others. And maybe it makes me a lesser man, but I cannot summon up any grief for an adult who fires at, or lunges with a knife at anyone, and ends up shot.
Zachary Jones
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:07 p.m.
Why does the video end just prior to the final "lunge"? Are the police trying to hide something? If not, why not make it public? Did they shoot into the direction of an occupied home? How many bullets were fired? How many times was Stevenson hit? Why are the reporters not asking these questions or at least reporting on why these questions aren't being answered or asked?
Phineas Bogg
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 11:17 a.m.
I understand not broadcasting the kill-shot, however . . . Why did you not show the 4 less-than-lethal shots on video?
you can't handle the truth
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Thoughts and prayers out to the officers and their heroic actions in this terrible ordeal. Great work. They are the ones deserving of the sympathy here. Thank God they weren't killed and thank God there were no people on the road as this person was flying on the wrong side of the road.
Ann English
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 12:50 a.m.
The video did show that the cops never lost control of their own vehicle. The initial photograph gave the impression that the state police's vehicle had skidded.
ms 2013
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:18 p.m.
all i can say is lord have mercy so young and troubled the officer did his job
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:16 p.m.
There's a lot of people saying that we shouldn't have Stevenson's school photo in here or anything about him in the story. I think it's important to remember that, despite how his life ended, Stevenson was a human being. He has a family, who is no doubt heartbroken about this. This is a person who died, it's important we remember that. Also, I've corrected a typo. He's instructed to exit the vehicle at 4:55, not 3:55.
dancinginmysoul
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 3:17 a.m.
I'm not going to defend my position or my choice.
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 3:06 a.m.
Yep, Denial ain't a river in Egypt. I'm sure he was just chasing a lost puppy or something.
dancinginmysoul
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 2:58 a.m.
Tell me, exactly, how my choice to not have a Facebook page means I'm somehow in denial or willfully ignoring something about this story? You're seriously making this claim based only on the fact I won't look at a picture posted on a Facebook page that may or may not be this young man?
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.
Be careful not to get too much sand in your eyes down there.
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 9:31 p.m.
Sorry Eye, I don't pay attention to anything on Facebook. Nor do I consider it to be based in reality.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 8:52 p.m.
Actually, Kyle, I was responding to dancing. 1000% sure - well he looks a bit different, but that is the point, right? His friends are a VERY large percentage Huron, class of 2012. He is from Ann Arbor. He has the same name. So, for the purposes of talking about: "has he changed or not, in the last x years", I think it is fine. For your purposes, I can see your hesitancy.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.
EyeHeart- We've looked at the Facebook page and we're not totally positive that it's a picture of him. We compared it to the picture we knew was him and weren't positive, so we decided to go with what we knew to be true.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 8:38 p.m.
...so you missed the part about the facebook page? or did you just ignore it?
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
EyeHeart: The photo is 2 years old. He could very easily still have a "cherub" face.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 7:44 p.m.
There's two sentences of who this man was, you can't handle the truth. They're meant to show that this is a person who died, not just a name with an age and a town he came from. So, yes, if he was 22, I would still want to print information about who he was. You have to remember Stevenson has family and friends who very much care who he was in life, not just in death.
you can't handle the truth
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
Just wondering why people care if this person played basketball or what he did in high school. Is it due to his age? If he was 22 instead of 18, would that still be the story? What's next? His report card from 3rd grade? Just curious.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
@dancingmysoul Because kids get older? That's why. Do I need to spell it out that a 15 year old kid doesn't look like a 19 year old? ...or how about I just go look at his facebook page? Now there's some detective work.
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
Eyeheart: how can you possibly know how he did or did not look?
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Understood EyeHeart. Unfortunately, it's one of those situations where we're going to take heat if we don't have a photo of him and, apparently, we'll take heat if we do have a photo of him. It's always better to err on the side of having it, I suppose.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
I think the point is, Kyle, that he in all likelihood looked nothing like the cherub shown in the 3 year old photo. (Photo probably snapped in 2010 for 2012 yearbook)
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
Thank you Kyle. At the end of the day we have a young man who's life ended too soon and we have an Officer who's life is forever changed. There are no winners here.
TrappedinMI
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:01 p.m.
Riveting...just riveting. Gut-wrenching. I felt my insides shaking watching this video. I know someone struggling with an adult child with profound mental illness and I've always had great respect for the job police have to do. This is heartbreaking, and scary from all sides.
Bcar
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:37 p.m.
Wow. There were a lot of shots fired by the police. I wonder how many of those 15+ shots fired actually HIT the truck...and where all the shots that MISSED went... What were those cops thinking continuing to shoot at the truck when it was already taking off and 50+yards downrange... poor, poor training...
Matt Cooper
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 4:07 a.m.
"...poor, poor training..." And of course you have been through the police academy, and know exactly how to handle such a situation, right?
Bcar
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.
...there is NOTHING wrong with holding police (just as citizens) responsible for EVERY shot fired..
Bcar
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.
What else are readers to do AFTER the fact?? I sure as hell know that there is a lawyer attached to EVERY single bullet fired and that if they HAD hit the driver and he crashed into someone/thing it would have been the COPS fault...
Tesla
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
I'm glad they are in the patrol vehicles and you're the armchair quarterback here. I wouldn't want it any other way.
RJA
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.
Excellent Job by Officers! :)
anti-thug
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
OK so theyshoot him because he shoot at police before.
anti-thug
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 2:56 a.m.
I learned a lot in LA California , lists to Russell Poole is a former LAPD detective most noted for taking over the investigation of the slain rapper known as The Notorious B.I.G.. Poole is also known for investigating the March 18, 1997, killing of LAPD Officer Kevin Gaines by LAPD Officer Frank Lyga.[1] he quite the force ...know in this case thre cop did right thing And defended himself. dont trust anyone.
anti-thug
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.
The police are like "people" they can do good or can do bad and they can have demons...that is why we need videos cameras...we cant trust anybody.
Mr. Ed
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.
I'm going to sum this up for you "Yup.".
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:13 p.m.
I feel for this officer. I can not imagine the intense pain caused by having to kill somebody, even a (alleged) thug like this. Especially an 18 year old one. I really hope gets all the support he needs.
Truthisfree
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:36 p.m.
This is a case where the officers did their best to get the situation under control. I wouldn't say all officers are altruistic. There are cases throughout the US where there are dirty cops. Thank GOD this is not one of those cases. It's sad to hear the officers having to avoid the bullets and because of the fear at being shot at, they weren't even sure if they were hit. I'm glad they were not hurt.
Ross
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
Indeed. Anyone claiming that the police were trigger happy here needs to get a grip. No police officer wants to shoot and kill another human being.
sd2man
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 11:03 a.m.
GREAT JOB..... Hail hail to the police officers. Now please take down his pretty boy picture sick of seeing it and reading about how he was a basket ball player...... who cares..... he was a thug with no re guard for peoples lives and property. One less thug in prison for us all to support.
Truthisfree
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
What is a thug? Notice, this young man did not have any prior arrests or criminal record. Did he make bad choices, yes. Is it clear his actions could have brought about harm, yes. In the same light, the people at the bar that get in their car after tossing back a few can be called thugs because they get behind the wheel of a vehicle and their actions could bring about harm. This isn't a movie, it was humans involved whose lives will be forever changed and one life lost. It is better to find out how this happened versus tossing it aside as "one less thug ..."
anti-thug
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
you have no idea what was going on in this kids head and nether do i, Anyway he could have fallen into mental illness...you dont know if he was seeing things . Labeling him a thug is so easy to do instead of seeing a human beaning .
Jack Gladney
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.
Maybe someone can do a piece showing his first grade art projects along with his baby pictures as well. Such a cute alleged would-be murderer.
shipdog7
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 11:01 a.m.
I watch too many action movies I guess. The video cutting out before the alleged knife was produced? I didn't read that the knife was taken into evidence. How many times have we seen or heard of situations where a cop is questioned about his response to a situation such as this. A gun is planted. A knife? I was defending myself......felt threatened..... so I shot him 40 times. I'm not saying it didn't happen the way it has been described in this article or by police. Someone who opens fire on police deserves to be eliminated..... one way or another. The anger and adrenaline flow of those involved at possibly losing their lives at that moment of attack must be quite a rush.
Matt Cooper
Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 3:12 a.m.
Mr. Corliss: 1. I'm not particularly concerned with what makes me look good or not to you. People state their opinions all the time on here. If you don't like people's comments, I'd suggest you not read them. 2. I never said things like this happen with any frequency, but that they do sometimes happen. You don't have to agree with me, but facts are facts. 3. I never said any of these officers acted in any way unprofessionally. And contrary to your thoughts, my comment was relevant. Sorry you can't see that. 4. I never said these two cases had anything in common, I was addressing a point made by shipdog7 when he asked (rhetorically perhaps?) "How many times have we seen or heard of situations where a cop is questioned about his response to a situation such as this. A gun is planted. A knife? I was defending myself......felt threatened..... so I shot him 40 times." I simply made the point that yes, it sometimes does happen.
Michael Corliss
Tue, Feb 26, 2013 : 2:15 a.m.
@ Matt Cooper--His name was Amadou Diallo. He was from Guinea. There were 4 cops. They fired a total of 41 times, 19 of which struck Diallo. The rest of your comment is accurate, but irrelevant. 1. These two cases have virtually nothing in common. 2. One case in 1999 in NYC hardly supports a claim that this sort of thing happens with any frequency....There is zero evidence at this point that the officers acted in anything but a professional manner, and considerable evidence that they were completely professional. Let the story unfold, and don't bring up irrelevancies. It doesn't make you look good.
Matt Cooper
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 4:04 a.m.
Yes, SD7. it does happen. While I can't remember the man's name, there was, many years ago, the true story of a guy whom I believe was a Haitian immigrant here on a work visa, who was coming home from work late one New York city night. As he went to enter his apartment carrying a small bag of groceries, he was immediately surrounded by some 20 NYC cops. They shouted for him to drop the groceries. He made the fatal mistake of reaching for his back pocket because he thought (there was a certain language barrier) they were asking for his ID, and he was going to give it to them. I might be wrong on the numbers, but of those 20-odd cops, something like 12 of them fired approximately 36 bullets into his body. Each and every cop present testified that they "saw a shiny metal object in his hand and thought it was a gun". However, no weapon was ever found. Matter of fact, the 'shiny metal object' they all swore they saw, was in fact his black leather wallet. So yes, heinous mistakes like this, although rare perhaps, do in fact happen.
anti-thug
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
you watch corny action movies where everything happens in slow motion
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
"How many times have we seen or heard of situations where a cop is questioned about his response to a situation such as this" Every time. Every time a police office fires his gun, regardless of the result, he is questioned. There is a review. Information is gathered and archived. There is tons of paperwork to fill out. When the result is a person injured or killed, it gets even more serious. The office is placed on leave while the investigation is performed. Personal counseling is offered, and even required in some jurisdictions. These things are not take lightly by any of the people involved. Turn off your TV.
jcj
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
dog You do realize there was NOT a camera man following the action? It was a fixed dash camera.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
Whatever. I guess if the glove doesn't fit, we must acquit, right? BTW, I think he may have shot at the police. It also seems that, given the fact he had a gun and showed he liked to use it, the cops may have saved some other peoples lives by bring this guy down. Like the lives of the house he was trying to break in. Go find another conspiracy to theorize over. You're just making yourself look bad here.
Jack Gladney
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
tdw... How about Sonny Corleone in The Godfather? You just know that some cops had to be in on that hit for it to go down.
tdw
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:13 p.m.
It appears you do watch too many movies.There is a big difference between a movie and real life.You" didn't read that the knife was taken into evidence " are you serious ? For one thing A2.com cannot write a novel about every story.Another thing is that do you actually think that the police could shoot someone, claim they had a knife but no knife put into evidence ?.And could you please give a example of police shooting a person 40 times.Please ? pretty please ?
PineyWoodsGuy
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 8:54 a.m.
Teenboy commits arson, brain addled by drugs, fires gun at State Troopers, speeds away at 80MPH. Crashes into house. Tries to break into house. State Troopers fire warning shots. Teenboy runs at then with knife. Trooper fires one (and Only One) "Bang Dead." I say this is the correct conclusion. A lawsuit by the family? I don't think so . . . My "feelings" go out to the MSP Trooper who Had to end the teenboy's life. In self-defense, you made the Correct choice and you are a Hero at your duty of protecting us! Tuebor! Good Buddy!
Youwhine
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:21 a.m.
I think it is important to point out that in this video, you see the man trying to kill two officers by shooting at them. He then leads police on a chase in which he drives on the wrong side of the road at 80+ MPH. He eventually loses control and crashes into ahome where people are sleeping and then tries to get into that home. All of this can be plainly seen on video. Given all these facts, it is clear that this man had no regard for human life. He didn't seem to care who he put at risk or tried to kill in order to get away. Additionally, he is accused of setting fire to, or near, an occupied home. I would say that officers showed great restraint and gave this man many chances before having to, unfortunately, exercise lethal force in order to ensure the safety of themselves and the community. Instead of memorializing the man as a former high school athlete, or pandering to the sympathetic masses by playing up the fact that he was a teenager, perhaps AnnArbor.com could do like other news organizations and find out whose house he was (repeatedly) allegedly trying to burn down. Or perhaps investigate the training officers go through regarding lethal force. Many readers may be intrigued to know that it has been shown that a person with a knife can easily assault and kill an officer from 21 feet away before that officer can draw their weapon and fire. Some readers may be interested to learn about the stresses and long-term consequences encountered by officers who are forced to take another's life in order to protect themselves or another. Maybe some would be interested to learn about the victims of the arson. Or perhaps we should just continue with the editorializing and subtle passive aggressive jabs (from a2.com writers AND commenters) which suggest that our police officers are trigger happy crazies who just want to go around shooting and killing people for no reason.
Matt Cooper
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 3:58 a.m.
18. Eighteen. Eight...TEEN. Call an 18 year old kid a "man" if you so choose, but you know as well as the rest of us that being 18 doesn't in any way make one a "man".
HB11
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
@John Counts, with regard to routinely using "teen" in a headline, there are huge differences there. "Teen" may cover anything from a 13 year-old who is in middle school to an 18 year-old who is emancipated from his parents house and for is for all intents living on his own. THAT is why it seems disingenuous to use "teen" in this instance rather than "man."
genetracy
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
Youwhine, yours is the one best posts I read in A2.com ib quite some time. Well thought out and rational. With the the video, that naysayers are suddenly silent as to what acually led up to the shooting the other night.
John Counts
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 11:22 a.m.
After this incident, many questions arose about who exactly Stevenson was. I attempted to contact as many people who knew him and reported everything that people told me. He was indeed a high school athlete who quit sports his junior year, which was pointed out in the story (http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/he-was-a-doctors-son/) He was also a teenager. We routinely refer to adults involved in crimes who are still teenagers as "teens," simply because they are teenagers and it quickly conveys this fact. As for the picture, there were no others made available to us. The state police told me that since Stevenson had no prior criminal past, the only picture they had on file was from his driver's license, which they cannot release to the media.
Basic Bob
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 10:47 a.m.
We can be sad for his passing and for his life ending as it did, and still acknowledge that _he_ made choices that led to his death at the hands of the police operating lawfully. To quote Frank Zappa - "He was a very nice boy"
Renee VanEpps
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 6:03 a.m.
You are so absolutely spot on. A high school yearbook photo from two years ago? Headline reading that he's a "teen"? He's legally an adult who tried to KILL someone repeatedly by setting fire to their house, and then tried to KILL police officers. I grow more terrified every single day of what this country is becoming . Great job to all of the officers involved. Yes, it's a tragedy that he had to be shot, but I know those officers didn't want to kill him. They had to. For their safety, and for the public's safety. Just imagine if they had not done what they did, and this "kid" had gotten into that house and shot those people too. A2.com would probably still title the article this way. Disgusting
Mike
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:41 a.m.
Why does the video end before the final confrontation?
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:15 p.m.
Because people don't need to see him get shot. Respect and decency.
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.
"Why does the video end before the final confrontation?" Because this isn't a snuff film website.
Boo Radley
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:16 p.m.
In addition to what Youwhine said, any video of the fatal confrontation would be evidence used in the still ongoing investigation of the Trooper's actions. It normally would not be released until after the investigation is concluded and the Trooper has been cleared, as I am sure he will be.
Youwhine
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:05 a.m.
In the freep article, it mentions that the shooting happened outside of the view of the camera. It may likely have been in view of ANOTHER camera from another department, but Northville Twp is the only one really talking about the incident now. On top of that, even when somebody tries to murder two police officers after (allegedly) trying to burn somebody's house down in the middle of the night, it is STILL classless to show that person being shot. Even though this guy tried to kill multiple people that evening, he still has loved ones who have to grieve. And showing a man being shot to death really serves no purpose to anybody.
Solitude
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:33 a.m.
If you listen closely, you can hear the officer that was calling out the commands ask himself if he was hit, then ask someone else, maybe a partner in the car, if he was hit, just after the shots are fired, as they were beginning to chase the shooter. If that's not duty before self, I don't know what is.
Mark
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:17 a.m.
The whole thing seems so senseless, why did the kid think he needed to shoot at the police? I guess we will never know what was going on his head.
madnailer
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:36 a.m.
Have to say what a great job the officer did when he pulled over the suspect. He showed great professionalism during the whole situation. Not sure I would be so calm after someone shooting at me. I hope the people who are always second guessing and bashing how police act can now see what a dangerous job they encounter everyday.. Great job officer.
ccaaa
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:21 a.m.
why was he pulled over in the first place?
John Counts
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 11 a.m.
Hi ccaa: As others have pointed out here, Stevenson was suspected of starting a fire, specifically starting a car on fire in the driveway of a home. There is more information about the alleged motive in this story: http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/police-man-shot-and-killed-by-trooper-was-involved-in-feud-with-northville-township-man/ Youwhine: I'm not sure about what you mean by "subtle anti-police sentiment." We are merely reporting information that is given to us, much of it by the police.
Youwhine
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:02 a.m.
If you are legitimately asking the question, because you are confused, and not passive-aggressively trying to blame the police, you should check out this article. It is written by one of the more legitimate news organiztions. It has a bit more detail, and a bit less subtle anti-police sentiment. http://www.freep.com/article/20130214/NEWS05/130214081/Raw-video-Ypsilanti-man-killed-after-cop-chase-trying-burn-down-rival-s-house?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
yourdad
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:01 a.m.
suspicion of arson, seen leaving the scene of the fire. A routine questioning of suspicious persons seen in the area of a crime is everyday police practice. The scary part is that they face this same type of situation very often. I am glad they got to go home and hug their families at the end of their shift. Nice work by the officers!
indie66
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:30 a.m.
arson
UtrespassM
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:55 a.m.
This is why I never believe the "tough love" some parents do to their " troubled kid".
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
Trespass: "Tough love" isn't something parents "do" to their children. It's not a verb. Clearly you do not have an understanding of what this concept is. And, based on your other comments, it's not clear you have a complete understanding of what it means to be a parent. NoPC: using a paddle would be considered corporal punishment, which is different from tough love. But you are correct there is an overwhelming fear of being sued.
NoPC
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.
Maybe if parents, teachers and administrators could still do "tough love" without the threat of being sued, perhaps this kid would be alive today. When I was in school, I feared Mr. Tate's paddle more than anything and believe me, I did NOT get out of line.
Tesla
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:48 a.m.
Wow. This kid didn't have a clue and didn't stand a chance. Nice job cops.
anti-thug
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
he didnt have a change? but what would you do while being shut at before..
Solitude
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 4:34 a.m.
I agree he didn't have a clue, but he had plenty of chances. They gave him all kinds of chances.
Jack Gladney
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:47 a.m.
"Police release name of teenager killed by police after lunging at officers with a knife" ~ AnnArbor.com. That headline tells the whole story, doesn't it? Good jobs done by all involved. Saved a judge from the trouble of releasing him on bond to murder someone.
Stephannie Ruzicka
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:35 a.m.
I don't understand the timing in this article. "Stevenson is instructed to leave the vehicle at 3:55. Less than 30 seconds later, he fires at officers, who return shots back at the truck. Gunshots continue to ring out as Stevenson pulls away in the truck. At 8:15, Stevenson loses control of the Ford Ranger at a turn in the road and crashes into a home." What time did this happen??
rasquat
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.
Well obviously those times refer to the time points in the video, but they are also wrong and off. The crash into the home does not happen until after 10 minutes in.
Resident A2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:15 a.m.
Thanks Tesla and Kyle for the clarification.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
Stephannie - Sorry if it's not clear, those times refer to the points in the video. The incident itself began at 2:05 a.m.
Tesla
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
They are talking about the time on the video, not the actual time.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:32 a.m.
Where are all the Monday morning quarterbacks and second guessers now?
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
Waiting a couple days for information to come out would also help. Not everything happens at Internet speed.
GoNavy
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 11:59 a.m.
Transparency and sunlight fix a lot of things. There should be more of it - that would do a lot to address the second-guessing.
justcurious
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:19 a.m.
This shows you what officers are up against. It is amazing how they could be calm and continue the chase knowing that they had been shot at, but that is what they do. My heart goes out to the family of this young man. No parent wants this for their son.
Steffetta
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.
I am at a loss. Why did he shoot at the police? I mean, an arson charge is bad, but not that bad.. wow. How tragic.
hail2thevict0r
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:28 a.m.
Yeah, I'm not sure a maybe a few years in jail is worth my life. Crazy how it all played out.
BlueEyesGirl
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:07 a.m.
Thank you for showing us how dangerous this job really is. Clearly they are not in it for the money.
WalkingJoe
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:33 a.m.
Wow, that went from calm to terrifying instantly.
anti-thug
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
in this case they dealing with a dangers shooter .
WalkingJoe
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:30 a.m.
@hail2thevict0r, I know, it just takes a video like this to drive the point home. What's just as amazing is the cops voice during the pursuit is very calm and professional.
hail2thevict0r
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 1:17 a.m.
and that's why cops have such a hard job. You just never know when crazies are going to strike.
blameyourself
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:32 a.m.
Great job officers.....this criminal deserved to be shot after firing at you.
brian
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 12:27 a.m.
Good job officers.