Teen Charged in Michigan Officer's death

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The teen accused of shooting an Oak Park police officer was charged as an adult on Friday.

Prosecutor Jessica Cooper authorized a warrent charging Jonathan Belton with first-degree murder in the death of Officer Mason Samborski, 28.

Belton was not in the courtroom. He was arraigned by video-link from the Oakland County Children's Village.

Thousands of people gathered to attend the slain officer's funeral in Brighton on Wednesday.

"Mason had an incredible character for a man of his young age," said Samborski's father, Ken, at the funeral. "He really understood the meaning of joy, you could see that in his life."

Following the funeral, hundreds of vehicles, including dozens of police cruisers followed the procession to Fairview Cemetery.

The fallen officer was laid to rest in his uniform and with a medal of honor.

"Officer Samborski has a good heart and he cared about people," said Oak Park Public Safety Director John McNeilance as he spoke at the funeral.

Samborski lived in Howell and is survived by his wife Sarah and 13-month-old daughter, Madeline.

"You know, it isn't that everybody lost a friend, it's really that the world lost somebody who was just really unique, original," said friend Tony Madonna.

Local 4 also spoke with Samborski's in-laws Monday evening.

The Ziembas said they are devastated by the loss but they are trying to stay strong for their daughter and granddaughter.

"We do our best. Both of us seem to break out crying at different times," said Steven Ziemba.

What's more they're saddened their granddaughter will probably be too young to remember her father.

"She'll never know her father, which is so sad because he was such a tremendous, outstanding man," said Beth Ziemba.

Samborski was fatally shot early Sunday in Oak Park, a Detroit suburb.

Belton was charged Monday as a juvenile with open murder and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Samborski pulled Belton over Sunday during a traffic stop. Police said Belton did not have a driver's license and told Samborski his parents lived in a nearby apartment, so Belton agreed to take him home.

Police said when the two arrived at the apartment complex, Belton struggled with Samborski and shot him in the hallway.

Police said Samborski may have been killed with his own weapon.

Investigators are still trying to piece together what exactly happened early Sunday morning.

Belton turned himself in Sunday afternoon.

Belton is being held without bond and will be arraigned Friday in the 45B District Court in the City of Oak Park.

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