Shots Fired at Wayne County Deputy Near I-94 and Dearborn Border During Surveillance Operation

Gunfire struck an unmarked Wayne County sheriff's vehicle during a violent-crime surveillance operation July 14, but the shooting happened on eastbound I-94 near Moross Road in Harper Woods, roughly 15 miles northeast of Dearborn city limits—not near Dearborn's border.

For Dearborn residents seeking clear safety information along the I-94 corridor, that distinction is critical: reported facts do not show an armed-suspect search extending into Dearborn or a failure to notify Dearborn officials or residents. Harper Woods Department of Public Safety—not Dearborn police—alerted residents and led the search in its jurisdiction. No reported details identify Dearborn streets, officials, resident notices, or local impacts.

The episode nevertheless underscores the stakes of violent-crime operations on a highway connecting communities across Wayne County.

The shooting occurred around 9:45 a.m. during a rolling surveillance operation targeting a gray SUV under the Wayne County Violent Crime Reduction Initiative, following up on a previously committed violent felony. The deputy was driving an unmarked vehicle and was not injured, though gunfire struck the vehicle. The deputy did not return fire.

The gray SUV was later found abandoned near Hunt Club and Peerless streets in Harper Woods.

"One of our officers was shot at and could've died. We don't take that lightly at all," Raphael Washington, Wayne County Sheriff, said.

Ashton James Ruffin, a 20-year-old Detroit man, has been charged with assault with intent to murder and multiple other felonies after allegedly firing at the deputy on July 14, 2026.

Rajena LaMartique Linson, 25, turned herself in on July 17, 2026, after Detroit Police sought her as a fugitive connected to the deputy shooting. Linson also faces an assault with intent to murder charge from a separate January 2022 case.

One additional suspect remains at large. Authorities are pursuing a search warrant for locations connected to the outstanding suspect.

"They need to understand we'll find them," Raphael Washington, Wayne County Sheriff, said.

"We don't believe there is any threat to the public," Raphael Washington, Wayne County Sheriff, said.

The incident shut down all eastbound I-94 lanes at Moross Road for several hours on July 14, with westbound lanes also affected during the investigation and suspect search.

Harper Woods Department of Public Safety issued a social media alert on July 14, 2026, telling residents to avoid the area of Peerless and Damman streets, remain in their homes, and await updates as police set up a perimeter and searched with K9 units.

Michigan State Police is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.