"The ACLU of Michigan shares the alarm and concern of many in the City of Detroit about the killing of 20-year-old Porter Burks on October 2, 2022. Detroit police officers fired a reported 38 rounds at the young man after he moved in their direction while carrying a knife with a blade slightly longer than three inches in length. We understand that the investigation of this killing continues, but there are certain issues that are of immediate concern to us, and we raise them here." - Mark Fancher in a letter to Detroit Police Chief James White

We are closely following the investigation into the killing of Porter Burks. Read our letters to the Detroit Police Chief and additional coverage below. 


ACLU: Policies, police culture contributed to killing of mentally ill man (May 18, 2023 | Detroit News)


Follow-up letter to Detroit Police Chief White (May 18, 2023 | ACLU-MI)


Activists call for mental health crisis unit in wake of fatal Detroit police shooting (November 12, 2022 | Detroit News)


Use of deadly force in Detroit criticized, other means encouraged in knife attacks (December 21, 2022 | Detroit News)


Worthy: Detroit police officers won't face charges in Porter Burks killing (November 23, 2022 | Detroit News)


Why Michigan police are 'overwhelmed' by growing mental health calls (October 16, 2022 | Detroit News)


Letter to Police Chief James White and FOIA request (October 13, 2022 | ACLU-MI)