DEARBORN, Michigan (Wayne County Prosecutor / News Release) – On December 18, 2022, at 3:32 p.m., Mr. Ali Naji, 33, of Dearborn, entered the Dearborn Police station located on 16099 Michigan Avenue. On this day civilians, including those dropping off Christmas presents for Toys for Tots, had been in and out of the station. Within seconds after entering, he pulled out a gun and, without any apparent provocation, pointed it at a Dearborn officer and pulled the trigger. When the gun failed to fire Mr. Naji immediately tried to correct this by removing the magazine and reinserting the magazine of the weapon.
The officer that Mr. Naji pointed his weapon at was behind a bullet resistant acrylic window in the front desk area. When he observed Mr. Naji, he briefly retreated, and reappeared five seconds later with his own weapon. He opened a window and fired multiple times. Mr. Naji was pulling back the slide on his own gun when he was hit and fell. The entire incident, from the time Mr. Naji produced the handgun to the officer ceasing fire, took 13 seconds. When Mr. Naji’s gun was recovered the safety was off and one round was in the chamber.
Additional officers arrived in the lobby 20 seconds after the officer fired at Mr. Naji. The scene was secured, and medics were called and shortly after they arrived to render medical assistance to Mr. Naji. He was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced deceased. The evidence showed that Mr. Naji suffered multiple gunshot wounds during the incident.
The Michigan State Police investigation revealed that on December 18, 2022, Mr. Naji had just stolen a handgun from a local barbershop where he was formerly employed and drove to the police station. No motive is known for his actions. Mr. Naji had a known history of mental health issues; this shooting incident may have been the result of a mental health episode.
On the day of the shooting, police and civilians had been in and around the outside of the police station. The officer in the lobby although behind bullet resistant glass was the only person immediately available to confront Mr. Naji. He objectively posed an imminent threat to the officer and any other person who may have entered the public lobby during the incident. It is clear from the facts and evidence in the case that the officer acted in lawful self- defense and defense of others. No charges will issue in this matter and the warrant request is denied.
“We may never know why Mr. Naji walked into the Dearborn Police Department with a loaded weapon attempting to fire it at a police officer. My office will not be issuing charges in this case. Although extremely tragic, this is a clear case where the officer acted in lawful self-defense and in the defense of others,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
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