Michigan: Detroit police officer struck in Aug. 4 hit-and-run dies
Detroit Police Officer Fadi Shukur who died Wednesday after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run nearly two weeks ago "had a magnetic smile," Police Chief James Craig said.
"He'll always be remembered for his magnetic smile," Craig said. "He would light a room up."
The chief made the remarks Wednesday during a news conference at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters downtown. He was joined by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and other city and police officials.
"Certainly in his short time (on the force), he made a difference," Craig said. "It's another dark day."
Duggan said funeral arrangements for the officer are forthcoming.
"Everyone's heart is broken in the city for a good man, a newlywed," the mayor said. "Our prayers are with his family."
hukur, 30, was struck by a car at about 2:40 a.m. Aug. 4 in the 18000 block of West McNichols near Stahelin Avenue on the city's west side, officials said. He was walking to his car after helping other Detroit police officers from the eighth precinct respond to a crowd control situation in the area.
Craig said officers were in the area to prevent any incidents or traffic accidents as a vigil spilled onto the street from a hall.
hukur, who had been on the force for about a year and a half, suffered a brain injury and remained hospitalized in critical condition since the accident.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged a Belleville man in the hit-and-run.
Jonathan David Cole, 19, was formally charged Aug. 7 with reckless driving causing serious impairment and failure to stop at the scene of an accident, resulting in serious impairment, officials said.
The charges were amended Wednesday following Shukur's death to second-degree murder, reckless driving causing death and failure to stop at a scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death. He faces a penalty of up to life in prison if convicted on the second-degree murder charge.
Cole is expected to be arraigned by video in 36th District Court at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Police said Cole fled the scene, but later turned himself in at a Detroit Police precinctand has been in custody since then. Investigators located his vehicle in Belleville after he surrendered.
Duggan said Shukur's death is a reminder of the dangers the Detroit Police Department's officers face every day.
"One of the heart-breaking things about all of this is Shukur and his fellow officers were doing what they're supposed to do," the mayor said. "Officer Shukur died a hero. He was out preventing an incident from potentially happening. Fadi Shukur died protecting the city."
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