12/20/2022
A 33-year-old Dearborn man was shot and killed in the lobby of the Dearborn Police Department at about 3:30 p.m. Dec. 18. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
Neither the Michigan State Police, who is handling the investigation, nor the Dearborn Police have released much information, but the victim’s family is seeking justice for what they claim is a civil rights issue.
Police said that Ali Naji walked into the department, and pulled a 9 mm handgun from his pocket. He then aimed at a police officer and tried to fire it, but it malfunctioned. While trying to fix the gun, an officer, who’s name has not been released, then fired several rounds into Naji, killing him.
Both the police and Naji’s family have said he had a history of mental illness.
“This is a tragic situation that could have been avoided had police de-escalation protocols been properly implemented,” Amir Makled We acknowledge that the police officer faced down the gun used by the victim and the danger that it posed to him and, potentially, others. However, officers are trained to and should be skilled at recognizing mental health crises. The deceased was not in a state to know right from wrong.”
Cyril Hall, another partner at the firm, said it was a clear civil rights violation.
“Let’s be clear: this is a civil rights case,” he said. “The victim’s civil rights were immediately violated when the police officer fired his gun without, apparently, any consideration to de-escalate the situation. The killing of our client’s loved one was unnecessary, and we believe the entire confrontation could have been brought to a non-lethal close.”
Full report on https://www.pressandguide.com/2022/12/19/family-of-man-shot-by-dearborn-police-hires-law-firm/
