Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said shot and killed; manhunt underway for suspect

A manhunt is underway for a gunman after a Melvindale police officer was shot dead at Oakwood and Dix Road Sunday.

Officer Mohamed Said, 23, was killed in the shooting Sunday, said Mazen Saeed, a cousin of the officer.

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

A procession of police vehicles with flashing lights and sirens blaring escorted Said's body Sunday, according to video posted by TCD Dearborn News .

The suspect — Michael Lopez, a 44-year-old Hispanic male — remains at large, armed and dangerous, Melvindale police said in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon. Police cautioned the public not to approach Lopez, but call 911 if they see him.

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."

Said was shot while pursuing individuals, Saeed said.

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. The neighborhood is near Oakwood Boulevard and Dix Road, blocks from the sprawling Marathon Petroleum Corp. oil refinery.

Said joins over 600 Michigan police officers killed in the line of duty, according to Officer Down Memorial Page . In June, Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Reckling was shot dead in Detroit.

"Very, very nice guy, soccer star, he was a soccer star in high school, everything," Saeed said. "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."

Said's soccer career included playing for the Melvindale High School Cardinals, according to posts on Said's personal Facebook profile.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting can contact the Melvindale Police Department at 313-429-1070.

The Dearborn Police Department said in a statement it is assisting the investigation: "As a result of an officer-involved shooting earlier today in Melvindale, we are currently working closely with the Melvindale Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies during the investigation. The Dearborn Police Department has made all of our assets available for this incident."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said shot and killed; manhunt underway for suspect