DETROIT – A Detroit police officer who was suspended after being shown on video apparently fleeing a shootout says it is the only option.
The video shows a man pulling a gun and starting to shoot just before police officers appear to be fleeing Detroit. The incident occurred on June 30th.
Read: Detroit Police Investigations After Video Seems To Show They Are Fleeing From The Shootout
Detroit police officer Lasonja Parker said when she looked up she saw someone hanging out of a car, firing a long gun. She said what was on her mind at that moment was “We have to take cover”.
She said they had to run away from a truckload of men who opened fire on a man in front of them. She said the video leaked by police did not show any of the shooters aimed his laser-tipped handgun at the officers.
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“His gun shone like a red beam and it hit the gas,” said Parker.
The man was shot five times. The video does not show that officer Parker and her partner came back to the victim 25 seconds later.
“We did a U-turn and went to find him and take him to the hospital,” said Parker.
They took the victim to a hospital in their patrol car. The officers were suspended weeks later without payment or explanation. Parker later found out that the video had leaked.
Parker hired attorney Greg Rohl after his colleagues went online to denigrate their decision.
“We saved someone’s life at the end of the day. We made it home. He made it home. That should be all that matters, ”said Parker.
Read: More Local 4 Defenders Coverage
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