WOODHAVEN (WWJ) – Woodhaven Police have identified the man who was shot to death by officers investigating a shoplifting complaint at WalMart Tuesday night.
Police said 39-year old Charles Brown Jr. of Lincoln Park wouldn’t drop a screwdriver and drove his stolen car at officers who were trying to stop him.
READ MORE: Michigan Announces $1.5 Million Tuition Giveaway, 100 Children To Receive $15,000The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Walmart store at Allen and West roads just before 8 p.m.
Police Chief Gordon Chretien said the store’s loss prevention department called police as a man and woman suspected of shoplifting were leaving the store.
Upon arrival, Chretien said officers were confronted by Brown who was acting as if he was going to use a screwdriver as a weapon.
Chretien said officers ordered Brown to drop the screwdriver, at which time he jumped into a vehicle, put it in reverse and struck a patrol unit in an attempt to run over one of the officers.
After striking the cruiser, Brown put the vehicle in drive and allegedly tried to run over a second officer. Chretien said that’s when officers fired their weapons, shooting out the back window of the car and striking the suspect.
READ MORE: AAA Offers 'Tow To Go' Program During Memorial Day WeekendPolice said Brown was killed at the scene.
WWJ Tipster “Tara” said the suspect’s car, a red sedan, was parked near the store’s pharmacy drive-thru, facing the wrong direction.
The female accomplice briefly escaped, but was apprehended a short time later at a nearby Kroger store, according to police. She is now in police custody.
No one in either store was hurt.
The woman remains in custody.
MORE NEWS: Holiday Travel And Gas: What To Expect At The PumpMichigan State Police are investigating to determine if police did anything wrong.