FeedsWestland officials seek answers after shooting
Effects from an Aug. 12 shooting continue to reverberate through the region as area officials search for more answers.
For the next several weeks, the Romulus Police Department will independently investigate the circumstances surrounding a shootout in Westland that involved members of the Romulus undercover unit.
Romulus Police Chief Charles Kirby said that a deputy chief would look into the incident that occurred outside Bob’s of Canton in Westland to make sure proper procedures were followed in the shooting.
The investigation was prompted after Romulus police headed to a strip mall on the corner of Warren and Merriman roads in Westland around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 to arrest would-be drug buyers who had arranged to purchase 3 kilos of cocaine for $60,000 from a Romulus drug informant. Both the time and the location were determined by the suspects. The situation allegedly became one of armed robbery as two suspects shot at the informant and, when police rushed to his aid, at the officers.
Romulus police returned fire and ultimately shot and killed one suspect, 28-year-old Brian Lamar Thomas of Detroit, and injured suspect Benjamin Bernard Pringle, 32, of Detroit. No officers or civilians were injured in the exchange. Pringle, along with 49-year-old Joseph George Boldizar of Garden City, 29-year-old Demond Nigel Sanders of Detroit, and 32-year-old Roberto Debert Reed of Detroit, have since been arraigned on a series of charges related to their alleged roles in the robbery.
Until the investigation is complete, the officers involved have received counseling and, Kirby said, some have been temporarily reassigned to desk duty pending the outcome of the internal probe.
“Three (of the officers) are back in their regular jobs and two have been reassigned,” he said.
This week, several Westland officials voiced questions and concerns about the incident. Westland Mayor Bill Wild criticized the Romulus Police Department for setting up the meeting in Westland and for the way the matter was handled.
“I think there was just a total lack of consideration for the safety of our residents,” said Wild.
In addition to the safety issues connected with the incident, Wild said that Westland must also bear the expense of the investigation that was dropped into their laps.
“At the end of the day, I’ve been able to confirm that the Westland Police Department only received notification 30 minutes earlier,” said Wild. “I would request, any time they’re (Romulus police) going to do one of these here, that they get the Westland police involved.” He added that Westland has one of the best-trained narcotics enforcement teams in the area available to assist.
The bottom line, Wild said, is that the incident was at odds with the degree of public safety Westland residents expect from their hometown, particularly given the busy location chosen for the sale.
“Maybe this is the way they do things in Romulus,” said Wild. “I think our residents expect more.”
Westland City Council President James Godbout echoed those concerns as he spoke of his wish that Westland officers had been more involved and able to share their familiarity with the area to minimize the exposure for the residents.
“Several of the council members, including myself, weren’t necessarily thrilled with the way the situation was handled,” said Godbout. “We are going to draft a resolution from our council about our displeasure with the Romulus police.”
The resolution is expected to be presented at the first Westland City Council meeting in September.
“I have to assume (Romulus police) had more than a half hour’s notice this sting was going to happen,” he said. “I think it could have been better executed and I think they were understaffed.”
However, Romulus Mayor Alan Lambert—a former police officer—said that Westland officials should be more understanding about the predicament because no one knew there would be a shootout.
“This type of thing happens in police work,” he said. “Obviously none of us are happy that it occurred at a busy location. But I do think the skill of our officers prevented any innocent bystanders from getting hurt.”
Kirby stressed that undercover officers often conduct buys at locations that are public and outside of the city, and that it is the practice at the majority of police departments.
“It’s very common,” he said. “Where else would they have us go?”
Lambert agreed.
“When I was a police officer, I can remember several instances when we were informed another department would be in our city,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, Westland had notice and enough time to get officers out there.”
Staff Writer Molly Tippen contributed to this story.
