A 21-year-old man taken into police custody as a suspect in a shooting at a party in Hazel Park that left one person dead and another injured last Friday has been released pending further investigation due to evidence supporting his claim that he shot in self-defense during an armed robbery, officials said.
According to Police Chief William Hamel, it’s alleged that the man who died — a 20-year-old from Detroit — pointed a gun and stole a watch from a person at the party, and the man who was subsequently taken into custody said he witnessed the robbery and fired in self-defense. As stated in a news release from Hamel, a witness interviewed in the ongoing investigation “provided supporting information to the robbery and self-defense claim.”
“After reviewing witness accounts, speaking with the subject in custody, evidence found at the scene, and consulting with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, the person we had in custody was released pending further investigation.”
As previously reported, multiple 911 calls reported the shooting at 1:16 a.m. on May 29 at a short-term rental home located at 23401 Powell Avenue. When police arrived on the scene, people were fleeing from the home, Hamel stated.
A 19-year-old woman from Pontiac was also shot; she and the Detroiter were transported to an area hospital where the man was pronounced dead and the woman was expected to survive, Hamel stated.
While it’s believed the shooting happened during an “after prom” party, no students from Hazel Park Schools were involved, police said.
As the investigation continues, detectives are still interested in speaking with anyone who has additional information to share about the incident. Reach the Hazel Park Police Department at 248-542-6161.
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