25-year-old charged with murder in slaying of Detroit police officer, wounding of 4 others

Man charged with murder in Detroit officer’s death

DETROIT — Authorities charged a suspect Tuesday in the shooting death of a Detroit police officer and wounding of four others, and he is expected to be arraigned in his hospital bed, a prosecutor said.

Jason Gibson is accused of killing 12-year police veteran Brian Huff and shooting the other officers during a May 3 gun battle at a vacant duplex. Gibson, 25, who was shot in the buttocks during the exchange of gunfire, is in serious condition at St. John Hospital.

His arraignment could take place Tuesday afternoon, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy told reporters Tuesday.

In total, 18 charges were filed against Gibson.

He faces three murder charges in Huff’s death: first-degree premeditated murder, murder of a peace officer and felony murder. Each carries a sentence of life without parole upon conviction. Gibson also was charged with one count of assaulting a police officer causing death in connection with Huff’s shooting.

He was charged with four counts of assault with intent to murder in the wounding of officers Kasper Harrison, Joseph Dunlap, Steven Schram and Brian Glover. He also was charged with four counts of assaulting a police officer causing serious impairment and one count of assault causing injury.

Harrison suffered a gunshot wound to an arm; Schram to a foot; Dunlap to a shin; and D’Angelo to his right thigh. Glover hurt his knee while assisting Huff. Each was treated for their injuries and released from local hospitals.

The charges “will contribute toward closure, toward healing” of the police department, Assistant Chief Ralph Godbee told reporters Tuesday.

Gibson also was charged with home invasion, marijuana possession, using a firearm during a felony and as a habitual offender. He does not yet have an attorney, Worthy said.

“For those of us in law enforcement, there is really no greater tragedy than an officer being slain in the line of duty,” she said. “This case highlights that every day officers are putting their lives on the line for us.”

The officers were responding to a 3:30 a.m. report of a breaking an entering and shots fired at the house on Detroit’s northeast side.

Police have said Huff and D’Angelo were the backup unit, but took the lead because they had more experience.

Huff was shot multiple times after entering the front door, while the other officers remained outside as backup.

Gibson ran from the house and continued firing shots when he was shot, Worthy said.