Detroit police arrest four armed men after officer sees suspect pistol whip man on city's west side

Detroit police arrest 4 armed men after officer sees victim get pistol-whipped on porch

An officer following up on an investigation in Detroit's 8th Precinct on the city's west side witnessed an assault Wednesday morning, leading to a large law enforcement scene.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Several people are in Detroit police custody after officers converged on a home where a deputy had witnessed an assault.

A Detroit police commander said the deputy who saw the attack likely prevented a shooting.

What we know:

An officer following up on an investigation in Detroit's 8th Precinct on the city's west side witnessed an assault Wednesday morning, leading to a large law enforcement scene.

Around 10:30 a.m., the officer was on Prevost, north of Grand River Avenue when he saw four armed men approach a man on his front porch. Words were exchanged before one suspect produced a handgun and knocked out the victim.

The observing officer called for assistance and more police arrived.

One on the scene, the four men went inside a home and refused to come out. While at a standstill, special response officers were dispatched to the home. 

The suspects then exited the home and were taken into custody.

Commander Dietrich Lever applauded the actions of an officer who called for help after spotting the assault. 

What we don't know:

It's unclear how the parties involved knew each other and what words were said leading to the assault.

There were other people also in the home who were taken into custody - however, they are not part of the immediate investigation.

What's next:

The victim who was struck is recovering at a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"I am thoroughly convinced that today, this officer's actions prevented a shooting," said Commander Dietrich Lever with Detroit police, who also thanked the department's 6th precinct for help.