A woman is killed from a blow by a 2x4 On a November evening in Detroit, a family's call for help during a loved one's mental health crisis ended in tragedy. Kazia Miller, a 27-year-old mother, was shot and killed by police officers who had been dispatched to her home on Meyers Road. Her family had reported that she was experiencing a schizophrenic episode, was acting violently, and had allegedly assaulted her mother and seven-year-old son.
They also informed the police that she was armed.
When officers arrived, they found a tense and volatile situation. Miller had barricaded herself inside the house with her two children, a one-year-old and the seven-year-old. A standoff ensued, during which officers tried to persuade her to come out and allow them to check on the children's welfare. According to police reports, Miller communicated that she had a weapon and suggested a 'shoot it out' scenario. Believing the children to be in imminent danger, officers eventually forced their way into the home.
Inside the house, a struggle took place as officers attempted to disarm Miller. It was during this confrontation that several officers fired their weapons, striking Miller. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. In the aftermath of the shooting, two officers and a supervisor were suspended pending an investigation. The Detroit Police Chief expressed concerns about how the situation was handled and whether departmental policies were followed.
Following an investigation by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, it was announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the officers involved in the shooting. The prosecutor stated that the officers' actions were justified under the circumstances, as they had an honest and reasonable belief that the use of deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others. Despite this decision, Miller's family has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department, disputing the official account of events and seeking justice for her death.
