Shootout at cell phone store leaves robbery suspect dead, officer wounded

Steve Pardo / The Detroit News

Plymouth Township -- An officer was wounded and a suspect killed in a shootout following a robbery of a cellular phone store Thursday night.

Michigan State Police troopers identified the alleged robber as Lebron Bronson, 45, from Canton Township.

Bronson robbed and tied up employees at the Wireless Store, 42177 Ann Arbor Road at about 6 p.m. Thursday. He was met by officers of the multi-jurisdictional Western Wayne Criminal Investigations Task Force as he exited the building, said Det. Lt. Monica Yesh of the Michigan State Police.

Bronson failed to drop the handgun he was holding and pointed a gun and officers fired, killing him. A Plymouth Township officer was also shot, suffering wounds to his hand and shoulder. Police have declined to identify the officer on his and his family's request, Yesh said. Yesh did confirm he is an 18-year veteran of Plymouth Township.

Police were still investigating details Friday including how many shots were fired and how the officer was wounded. The officer was listed in stable condition Friday and is expected to recover, Yesh said. Officers had the area under surveillance.

Bronson was a suspect in at least three other robberies in the area, police said.

Mary Jane Radloff, owner of Salon MJ, across from Wireless USA, confirmed there has been a rash of robberies near her store -- including a nearby bank and gas station.

Radloff had a full salon of about 15 stylists and customers at the time of the incident. She didn't hear the gunfire, but saw ambulances outside the store.

"We saw the body in the parking lot. They had the guy on the ground and were giving him CPR," Radloff said. "It's just creepy. I'm just thankful no one here or in the parking lot was hurt."

Michigan State Police detectives continue to investigate.

Santiago Esparza contributed spardo@detnews.com (734) 462-2200