Trial begins in case of slain Mich. cop

Officer Brian Huff was shot to death and four other officers shot and injured in a May 2010 gun battle

March 02, 2011 04:05 AM

Law enforcement officers enter a duplex on Detroit’s east side where police responding to a 911 call at the vacant house were met with heavy gunfire that killed one officer and wounded four others, authorities said.

By Corey Williams
Associated Press

DETROIT — A prosecutor says Detroit police officer Brian Huff never had a chance when he was shot to death at a suspected drug house on the city’s east side because his assailant was waiting inside in the dark when Huff kicked in the door.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Thomas Trzcinski described the scene Wednesday during opening arguments in Jason Gibson’s trial.

Gibson is charged with first-degree murder and assault in the May 3, 2010 gun battle with police.

Four other officers were shot or injured, but later recovered.

Trzcinski says officers were responding to a burglary report. Huff was shot twice in the face. One slug severed his spine.

Gibson was shot while trying to flee the house. Police say a .45-caliber handgun and a pound of marijuana were recovered.

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