Capitol News

The Michigan Department of Attorney General has completed its review of the fatal shooting of Stephen Wangara-Mason by a Michigan State Police (MSP) Trooper on May 16, 2025, in Detroit. The department determined that the trooper acted in self-defense and defense of others, and no charges will be filed.

According to the Attorney General’s office, MSP policy requires all officer-involved shootings to be reviewed by the department. On the evening of the incident, an MSP Trooper stopped Mason for speeding and driving an uninsured vehicle on M-10 in Detroit. After both men exited their vehicles at the Wyoming Avenue exit, Mason admitted his insurance had lapsed but provided his registration. When asked to retrieve a dropped registration document from under his car, Mason refused. The situation escalated when a concealed revolver fell from Mason’s person during their interaction.

A struggle ensued as Mason attempted to regain control of the firearm. During this altercation, Mason shot the trooper three times—twice in the chest and once in the clavicle. The trooper’s bullet-proof vest prevented two bullets from penetrating his body but caused injuries; the third bullet required surgical removal. Despite being wounded, the trooper continued to fight for control of the weapon.

The Attorney General’s statement describes how “Mason maintained, for a time, a grip upon the Trooper’s righthand wrist preventing the Trooper from accessing his service pistol.” Eventually, “the Trooper was able to overcome the efforts of Mason against his wrist, unholstered his service pistol, and shot Mason three times, killing him instantly.” The report notes that until he was fatally shot, Mason continued trying to shoot and kill the trooper.

The investigation was conducted by detectives from outside MSP’s 2nd District as per policy and included assistance from Detroit Police Department Homicide Task Force. Evidence reviewed included patrol car video footage, body-worn camera recordings, police reports, autopsy findings from Wayne County Medical Examiner, witness statements and interviews.

The Department concluded that both “the Trooper’s initial traffic stop of Mason and subsequent request that he exit his vehicle were each lawful,” and that “the use of deadly force was a justified exercise of self-defense and defense of others.”

Explaining legal standards applied in such cases: “Law enforcement officers have the same privilege of self-defense as anyone else. Shooting a gun in self-defense requires an honest and reasonable belief that an officer is in danger of being killed or seriously injured... Under Michigan law, a police officer... is not required to retreat in the face of a display of force.”

The department reaffirmed its role: “The Department of Attorney General is available to lead or support any investigation of an officer-involved shooting at the request of any county prosecutor or law enforcement agency within the state and today renews this commitment and offer.”

The full report detailing this incident can be accessed through this PDF link. A PowerPoint presentation with still images from dashcam and body-worn cameras is also available here (PDF).