The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) - A suspect in the shooting death of an off-duty police officer who was working as a bouncer at a strip club had been charged with murder, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
The shooting occurred at Sting, a bar in southwest Detroit, when Ken Daniels, 28, was escorting a group of men out late Wednesday, police said. Michael L. Allen, 37, of Detroit, is charged with first-degree murder.
“My sympathy goes out to the family of this fallen officer,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. “Although his death occurred off-duty, we recognize and honor his commitment to the safety of the citizens of Detroit.”
Allen also was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm and being a habitual fourth offender.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Allen would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Police said Daniels helped escort out a group of men from the bar that refused to pay a $100 tab. Once outside, police said he struggled with one man while another man pulled out a weapon and shot him in the abdomen.
Allen was arrested Thursday by police after a high-tech surveillance system caught part of the incident on tape.
“We have a photograph from the camera system of Mr. Allen brandishing a firearm and pointing it at Officer Daniels,” Detroit Police Cmdr. Craig Schwartz said.
Daniels, who died at Detroit Receiving Hospital, was an 8-year veteran and member of the department’s tactical services unit.
The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press reported Daniels should not have been working in the bar. Police said officers are allowed to have other jobs, but cannot work in places regulated by the city, such as clubs that serve liquor.