Police Chief: DNA Links Man Charged In Cop Shootings To WSU Officer Death
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police Chief James Craig says there is a DNA match between a man now charged in the non-fatal shootings of two cops this week, and the shooting death of Wayne State University Police Sgt. Collin Rose.
Raymond Durham is now, Craig said, the prime suspect in Rose's murder — while he, meantime, stands accused in the shootings of two Detroit police officers who were investigating that crime.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Friday charged Durham with attempted murder in connection with Wednesday's shooting — while the injured officers remain hospitalized.
They are in stable condition, Craig said, recovering from their injuries.
"I think they will be happy," the chief told WWJ's Vickie Thomas and other reporters. "The one officer who had the more significant injuries; he said to me as I leaned over his bed: 'I believe that the suspect who shot us is the suspect who shot Collin Rose.'"
Rose, 29, was shot in the head while attempting to stop a man near Wayne State's campus in November. The five-year veteran of the department, who worked in the canine unit, had just radioed to say he was investigating possible thefts of navigation systems from cars and SUVs when he was killed.
DNA, police said, was found on a flashlight collected by investigators at the scene.
Durham, 60, has not been charged in Rose's death.
Craig said Friday that the DNA match is a "first step," and only one component of the investigation, and that an effort to gather more evidence in the case and interview more potential witnesses is ongoing.
Wednesday's shooting took place only about a mile away from where Rose was killed. One officer was shot in the neck; the other in the ankle, and body armor stopped two bullets to the chest.
Durham was taken into custody after a two-hour manhunt that night and taken to a local hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds he sustained when police returned fire.
Worthy says Durham is charged with two counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, two counts of Resisting and Obstructing the Police Causing Serious Impairment, one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and five counts of Felony Firearm in connection with Wednesday's alleged crimes.
He was arraigned in the hospital, where he remained in police custody Friday, and ordered to be remanded to jail once he is released.
A probable cause conference was scheduled for March 24, and a preliminary exam for March 30.
