Suspect in Melvindale officer's death arrested, according to MSP

The suspected gunman in the killing of a Melvindale police officer has been arrested, according to Michigan State Police .

Michael Lopez, 44, was arrested in the 3400 block of Gilbert St. in southwest Detroit on Monday, according to the MSP Second District.

The shooting took place near the 17000 block of Clarann Street in Melvindale, where officers were responding to a call from a carwash at 17344 Clarann.

According to information from police, around 11:40 a.m. Sunday, Officer Mohamed Said, 23, was shot while responding to a suspicious individual call near a gas station on Oakwood and Dix Road in Melvindale. Said approached Lopez, who ran.

After a foot pursuit, Said tased him and Lopez pulled out a gun and shot the officer, police said.

Lopez was paroled on June 22, less than a month before the Sunday's shooting. He previously served 12 years for carjacking and assaulting an officer in 2011, according to court records.

Said's impact in the community

Colleagues, friends and residents are reeling over the loss of Said, who was a beloved member of the Melvindale community. In high school, he competed with the soccer team at Melvindale High School and was described by friends as a "star."

Mazen Saeed, a cousin of the officer, said his family is devastated.

"It's tough, him being my cousin, it feels like it's a movie now," Saeed said. "The city should step up and bring more cops and more patrol to make the city safe for all the community.

"He was a soccer star in high school, everything. Everybody knows him, loves him and everything, he's such a good guy. It's a devastation. It's a big blow to our family, for everybody that likes him in the community."

Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin mourned Said's death in a post to his personal Facebook profile Sunday.

"I am profoundly saddened by the senseless and tragic murder of Ofc Mohamed Said," Shahin said in the post. "He was a kind soul who proudly served the residents of Melvindale. I pray for his family, friends and our police community as we grieve the loss of a brother."

Khalil Refai, a city council member in Hamtramck and former Hamtramck police chaplain, posted on Facebook that he had known Said for more than 10 years. He said he was "deeply saddened" by his death, noting Said was respectful, smart and dedicated to his community.

Funeral service set for Said

Said's funeral service is set for Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the American Moslem Society in Dearborn. There is also a visitation on Thursday July 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center located at 15801 Michigan Ave.

Reporters Liam Rappleye and Jenna Prestininzi contributed reporting .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Suspect in Melvindale officer's death arrested, according to MSP