This browser does not support the Video element.
Warren police release new details in chase with suspect
Police said officers were called to the 13000 block of Prospect in Warren early Tuesday after a woman called 911 to report that her boyfriend had strangled her and tried to light the home on fire. Before officers arrived, the suspect had fled in a vehicle. Officers determined that the man, who family members identified as Rakim Wright, may have been inside his vehicle in the area of McNichols and Van Dyke in Detroit. According to police, officers did locate the car in that area and tried to stop the suspect, but he fled.
WARREN, Mich. (FOX 2) - Video released Thursday shows that a man involved in a shootout with Warren police earlier this week shot and killed himself.
Watch the video above. WARNING: It contains graphic images.
Rakim Wright, 32, fled officers after allegedly strangling his girlfriend early Tuesday. That pursuit led to Wright firing at officers from a car before a shootout that ended with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The backstory:
Police said officers were called to the 13000 block of Prospect in Warren early Tuesday after a woman called 911 to report that her boyfriend had strangled her and tried to light the home on fire. Before officers arrived, the suspect had fled in a vehicle.
Officers determined that the man, who family members identified as Rakim Wright, may have been inside his vehicle in the area of McNichols and Van Dyke in Detroit. According to police, officers did locate the car in that area and tried to stop the suspect, but he fled.
A chase continued with the suspect shooting at officers from his vehicle, according to police. Eventually, Wright stopped in the area of Castle Avenue and Kenney Street and fled on foot. Police said he continued to shoot at officers, who returned fire.
Shortly after running away, police said they located Wright with a gunshot wound to the head.
What they're saying:
Warren police decided to release video of the encounter after family and witnesses said that Wright was unarmed and shot by officers, statements police called "blatantly incorrect narratives."
Dashcam video showed police pursuing Wright in Detroit. During that chase, Wright began shooting at police before ditching his car and fleeing on foot. An officer is seen shooting at Wright. However, another camera angle shows Wright putting a gun, which was later determined to be stolen, to his head and pulling the trigger. The gun was recovered from his hand when officers approached to provide aid.
According to Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski, Wright died from a close-range, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Two officers fired eight shots, none of which struck Wright, Gajewski said.
This video refutes claims by Wright's family and witnesses that police killed him, as well as rumors that he was not armed and did not shoot at officers.
Dig deeper:
Police said Tuesday was not their first encounter with Wright. According to Gajewski, he was arrested last year for assaulting the same victim he allegedly strangled.
Wright also had previous arrests for assault with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property, and felony weapons charges.
What's next:
The two officers who fired shots, along with their partners, are on administrative leave.
Warren police are reviewing the use of force, while Michigan State Police conduct an independent review.
The Source: FOX 2 attended a Warren police press conference. Previous FOX 2 stories were also used in this report.
Watch FOX 2 News Live
This browser does not support the Video element.