DETROIT (July 7, 2022) — Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) has issued the following statement regarding the death of Detroit police officer Loren Courts, who was tragically killed last night while responding to a call about a man firing shots from an assault rifle on the city’s west side:

“First and foremost, my heart goes out to the family of Detroit Police Officer Loren Courts, who was killed in a senseless act of gun violence. My thoughts and prayers are also with members of our law enforcement community, who bravely answer calls without question or hesitation, and instead a commitment to protect and serve, keeping our neighborhoods and families safe.

“Officer Courts and his police partner undoubtedly saved lives last night by acting decisively and swiftly, especially given the heightened sense of urgency in our country due to unfortunate events like the recent mass shootings in Highland Park, Illinois and elsewhere. While we grapple today with feelings of sorrow at such a tremendous loss, and anger that he was killed, we can find the strength to work toward more justice and more peace tomorrow. Together, we can honor Officer Courts’ memory by striving to match the level of service that he and his father, a DPD veteran, have shown to our great city.

“As an elected official and a mother, I will do everything I can to make our communities safer. The gun violence epidemic simply has got to stop before another senseless tragedy occurs.”

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