Collin Rose

DETROIT — On Tuesday night, police caught a suspect in the fatal shooting of Collin Rose, a 29-year-old Wayne State University police officer.

Rose died Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Hours after Rose’s death, authorities revealed that the suspect, DeAngelo Davis, has a history of “assaultive-type” crimes against police.

 “This is a tragedy felt by all of us — Collin and his family and friends, his fiancée and our campus and community,” said Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson. “Please keep Collin and his fiancée and family in your thoughts and prayers. Collin served Wayne State with distinction, and we owe those he left behind our deepest sympathies and our strong support.”

In an earlier news conference, Wayne State Police Chief Anthony Holt said Rose had stopped to investigate a man while on patrol a few blocks off campus. 

The shooting happened outside the Lincoln Apartments at 3650 Lincoln. Another campus officer discovered Rose lying on the ground from a gunshot to the head. 

Approximately six police agencies helped in the manhunt, including Detroit Police and Michigan State police. A dozen police and emergency vehicles enclosed the area.

Betty Evans, the apartments’ manager, said she called the police after arguing with the suspect because he did not reside there and wouldn’t leave. She also witnessed the crime.

“He was outside, in front,” she said. “The officer was trying to get his [the suspect’s] hands behind his back. We heard a shot and the officer went down, and we heard two more shots.”

She also expressed her condolences.

It was unclear at press time whether Rose had been responding to the 911 call or had been in the area for another reason. 

Holt had commended Rose as “one of the best officers” he knows and said he served the community and reached out to children.

Rose is the first Wayne State police officer to die on duty.