A Detroit police officer who was struck by a vehicle in the line of duty last week took a sudden turn for the worse and died during the weekend.
Now, the man who was charged with hitting him could face homicide charges.
Saddam Hussein Mohsin, 30, of Buffalo, N.Y., already has been arraigned on several charges in connection with the accident involving Officer Charles Armour on June 5. The charges include assault with intent to commit murder, which is punishable by up to life in prison.
Police were notified early Sunday that Armour, 40, who had served the department for nearly 17 years, had died.
At a news conference Sunday, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. said Armour had seemed to be recovering.
"It'll never make sense to us, but we have to get through this as an agency," he said.
Godbee said Mohsin was obstructing a moving lane of traffic on St. Antoine about 12:20 a.m. June 5. When Armour attempted to get him to move, Mohsin struck him with his vehicle, Godbee said. Authorities have said Mohsin was traveling in the wrong direction.
Godbee said citizens assisted in apprehending Mohsin.
According to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office, Armour's autopsy shows he suffered multiple injuries.
Godbee said homicide investigators are consulting with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to determine amended charges.
The Prosecutor's Office released a statement Sunday, expressing sadness over Armour's death.
"When the Detroit Police Department presents us with a new warrant request in this case, we will review it for new charges," the statement said.
When contacted Sunday, Mohsin's attorney, Leon Weiss, said he was surprised and saddened to hear of Armour's death. He said he plans to seek a psychological evaluation for his client.
Weiss said he expects Mohsin, a father of five with relatives in Dearborn, will face some degree of homicide charge.
In addition to the assault with intent to commit murder charge, Mohsin has been charged with assault to commit great bodily harm, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, reckless driving and possession of marijuana, according to the Prosecutor's Office.
Godbee said Mohsin is due in court this month.
"I feel very sorry for the family of the officer," Weiss said, adding that the incident was an accident and Mohsin "definitely wasn't operating within the framework of what we would call his right mind."
Godbee said Armour is survived by his parents, a stepmother, a 4-year-old daughter and his girlfriend.
"A consummate gentleman," Godbee said. "A consummate Detroit police officer."
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
