DEARBORN – Dearborn police shot and killed a suspect on Wednesday afternoon on Hubbard Avenue near the Fairlane Town Center mall in Dearborn.

31-year-old Detroit resident Janet Wilson was attempting to flee the scene after a pursuit by Fairlane Town Center security and Dearborn Police.

According to witnesses, she attempted to run down an officer before Dearborn Police fired at her.

Wilson was being sought after by Fairlane Town Center security after she was involved in a scuffle in the parking lot, where she attempted to hit another vehicle.  Dearborn Police were dispatched after she fled the scene in her Black Chevrolet. 

Wilson drove onto Hubbard Drive, where she was temporarily stuck in traffic. Police were able to catch up to her and corner her. 

According to witnesses, she bolted forward and attempted to strike an officer when Dearborn Police cornered her. Multiple shots were fired at her vehicle. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

On Thursday, The Wayne County Medical Examiner ruled her death as a homicide as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. 

A Dearborn Police officer also suffered mild injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The name of the officer has yet to be released. 

According to Fairlane Town Center security, Wilson appeared mentally unstable. 

Michigan State Police announced that they will be handling the investigation into the incident and it’s expected to be turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. 

This incident comes on the heels of the death of 35-year-old Kevin Matthew, an unarmed mentally unstable Black male who was shot by a Dearborn police officer in December. 

That incident sparked outrage and protests by civil rights groups and Detroit residents. 

The
name of the police officer in that incident has still not been made public. The
Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has yet to announce if there will be any
charges made against the police officer who shot Matthew.

Following
the incident, the Dearborn Police Department issued a press release acknowledging
both Wilson and Matthew’s cases.

The Dearborn Police Department is deeply
saddened by the two officers involved in fatal shooting incidents that have
occurred over the past month.

Both of the officer-involved shooting
incidents are being independently criminally investigated by outside agencies
and we are totally committed to transparency and disclosure by fully
cooperating with these investigations.

Upon conclusion of the criminal
investigations we will be conducting internal reviews on both of these
incidents. While we are very proud of our long history of Civil Rights advocacy
as well as our history of appropriate use of force, we will closely examine all
of our policies and procedures to ensure that we are employing the latest
training and following national best practices in all of our responsibilities
to the community.

Once we are allowed and it is appropriate
to do so, we fully intend to make public disclosures regarding these incidents.

We remain committed to providing superior
public safety services and appreciate the support during this most difficult
time for our entire community.