Troy Officer Cleared In Fatal Shooting Of Mentally Ill Man

TROY, MI — The Troy officer involved in a fatal shooting in April of this year has been cleared after officials investigated the incident. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit has found that the officer active in self defense and Troy resident Robert Issa’s death was found to be a justifiable homicide, according to a report released this week.

Troy Police were dispatched to a home in the 4900 block of Saddle Brook around 7:23 a.m. April 9 on the report of an armed man having a bipolar episode. Issa’s brother had called 911 and said his brother believed President Donald Trump was out to get him and that he was possibly experiencing psychosis. By the time police arrived, the man’s family had locked themselves in bedrooms to keep safe. They told police he was “screaming, being violent, and hitting family members,” according to a Troy Police Department update.

When officers arrived, Issa was locked out of the house and armed with two knives. Troy Officer Andrew Lane eventually drew his gun and attempted to calm Issa down, but was unsuccessful, according to authorities. Lane reportedly tased the man to subdue him, but according to the report, that caused Issa to become “infuriated” and he charged at the officer.

"Officer Lane had no other choice but to use fatal force against Robert Issa in order to protect himself. Capt. Redmond and Lt. Sutterfield," reads a letter released this week, written by Jason Pernick, chief of the warrants division for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office. "Despite the imminent threat...Lane did not immediately resort to the use of fatal force, although he could have lawfully done so," the letter continues. "Lane had no choice but to open fire and continue firing, until the deadly threat posed by (Issa) ended when he was incapacitated and fell to the ground."

According to the report, Issa was shot five times, including in the head. Issa had a history of hospital visits for his mental illness and domestic violence, particularly several incidents in 2017, authorities said. Marijuana was the only substance found in Issa’s system at the time of the incident, the report noted.

“We are grateful to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough and professional investigation in this matter,” said Troy Police Chief Gary Mayer in a statement. “The loss of life is tragic and has certainly had a profound impact on the family, our department, and our community. We would like to thank the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for providing an avenue to a fair and impartial investigation consistent with our core values. With this announcement, our department takes a step forward in this somber process and we pledge to continue to provide the high-level of police service the community expects and deserves.”

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