One of three suspects has been charged in connection with the murder of Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Reckling, who was killed while investigating a stolen vehicle in Detroit on June 22.
Eighteen-year-old Karim Blake Moore, a resident of Clinton Township, was arraigned in 36th District Court on Wednesday on three counts of lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation and one count of resisting arrest, according to local news station Fox 2 Detroit.
The Context
Deputy Reckling, a nine-year veteran of the force and a member of the sheriff's office's stolen vehicle unit, was tracking a stolen 2022 Chevrolet Equinox from Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights on Saturday night, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the vehicle suddenly stopped at Schoenherr and Park Grove streets on Detroit's east side. The OCSO told Newsweek in a statement that Reckling first spotted the car and while other detectives were en route, the stolen car stopped and at leas one of three suspects in the car got out and began shooting. This was described as an "ambush" by Sheriff Bouchard in the statement.
Reckling "was a friend and trusted partner to countless other members of our agency," a post shared on the OCSO Facebook page read.
What We Know
Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Penney shared during Moore's arraignment that the suspects fled the scene on foot after the shooting, according to reporting by Detroit-based news station WDIV Local 4. Moore, who was in the stolen vehicle, did not fire the shots but admitted to investigators that he "bailed out of the vehicle after shots were fired." A tracking dog later located the suspects on the porch of an unknown residence, where two guns and a pair of gloves were found, WDIV reported.
WDIV reported that Matthew Penney told the judge that a high cash bond is needed for Moore.
"This man is a flight risk he is in the thick of something that is very deep and very, very serious," Penney said.
"He chose to, by his own accounts, after seeing police lights, ran from the vehicle. Ran with two others who were apparently involved and ran three blocks away from where the officer unfortunately expired."
Newsweek has reached out to Penney for additional comment.
Moore is one of three 18-year-olds being held in connection with Reckling's murder. The other two suspects were previously out on bond for charges related to a carjacking and police chase in March. Their bonds were revoked earlier this week, ensuring their continued detention at the Detroit Detention Center, according to The Detroit News.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told Newsweek that, "I appreciate the initial charges on an individual that was arrested on that terrible night, and I am anxiously awaiting much greater charges on all the individuals involved in this disgusting ambush murder."
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Defense attorney Adam Clements praised the prosecutor's office for not hastily charging Moore with homicide, noting that the current charges are serious but non-violent. "What you have in front of you is a non-violent, non-assaultive, albeit serious, charge," Clements said, according to Fox 2 Detroit.
A vigil was held at Romeo High School, where Reckling was an alumnus, with hundreds in attendance to honor his memory. Reckling's colleague Nathan Rogers wrote a testimonial which was shared in a statement with Newsweek.
Rogers said he and Reckling grew up together and graduated from the police academy together. He said that "Brad was one of the most selfless colleagues and the most dedicated husband and best father to his girls."
In a statement from the OSCO which was shared with Newsweek, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said that, "This agency is crushed. If you are someone who believes in prayer, please pray for his family and this agency."
What's Next
The funeral services for Reckling are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Apostolic Church in Auburn Hills, according to The Detroit News.
Reckling leaves behind his wife, Jacqueline, who is pregnant with their fourth child, and their three other daughters. In support of the family, the sheriff's office has set up "Mission Oakland," a charity, to receive donations that will go to the family.
In a statement shared with Newsweek by the OSCO, Deputy Nicholas Bohon stated that Reckling was "A great cop but an even better father and husband."
Reckling's death "comes a week after a tragic shooting at a splash pad in Rochester Hills, which injured nine people, including three children," according to the statement shared with Newsweek.
Sheriff Bouchard has stated that these incidents, coupled with tragic shootings at Oxford High School and Michigan State University which Oakland Country deputies responded to, has "taken an emotional toll on the mental health of the staff."
The statement revealed that a crisis intervention team was flown into Oakland to counsel deputies. Sheriff Bouchard was described the events as a "challenge" in the statement, stating, "how many punches can you get and remain standing."
Sheriff Bouchard has renewed calls for increased funding to support mental health programming for the Sheriff's office.
A reward of $5,000 is being offered for information related to the murder. Anyone with tips is urged to contact the Detroit Homicide Task Force or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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