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According to Sterling Heights Interim Police Chief Michael Reese, police were called to a home in Durham Apartments at 6:45 a.m. on July 12 by the man’s live-in girlfriend. The female resident said she and her boyfriend, Roy Lee Long, were arguing and it escalated to the point where Long threatened to shoot her cat. Reese said police have not had any other encounters with Long previously.

After two officers arrived at the complex near 16 1/2 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke, Reese said Long came walking out of the apartment with a shotgun.

“He was yelling at officers, ŒShoot me, shoot me, shoot me,’” Reese said.

Long refused to drop the shotgun after police ordered him to do so several times, and he continued yelling at officers. Reese said Long appeared to raise his shotgun toward officers, who fired several rounds that killed him.

The two officers are on standard paid administrative leave while an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Reese said the joint investigation between the Sterling Heights Criminal Investigation Bureau and Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office officers, along with help from detectives in the SHPD Special Investigations Bureau, will take approximately two to three weeks.

“Basically, we feel that after the prosecutor reviews the complete file in the matter, the incident will be justifiable,” Reese said.

The completed investigation would then be reviewed by the prosecutor before any decisions are made in clearing the officers or not.

“After we receive clearance, they will return back to work,” Reese said.

Police are not releasing the names of the officers involved.