On The Eve Of Her Birthday, A Woman Is Killed By An Accidental Cop Shooting!

We at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to the family of Adaisha Miller. 

In Detroit, Michigan, a woman about to celebrate her 25th birthday was shot and killed after she embraced an off-duty officer and she may have triggered his firearm. The Detroit Metro Police are investigating the incident and express sorrow for the death of Adaisha Miller.

Courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Off-duty Detroit Police Officer Isaac Parrish was carrying his department-issued pistol in a soft holster on the right side of his waist while hosting a fish fry at his house on Detroit's west side during the weekend, police said.


Adaisha Miller was dancing behind the officer and touched his waist.


His gun fired.


Miller was struck once in the chest and died.


That is the account provided Monday by Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr., who said the shooting appears to be a tragic accident.


Police are investigating and say preliminary findings show the holster may have allowed the trigger to be "manipulated" while the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 was stored.


Godbee said the officer is "very remorseful of the incident and the tragic nature of this young lady losing her life in the manner that she did."


No one answered Monday afternoon at Parrish's home on Archdale.


"To the family of Adaisha Miller, we are profoundly sad at their loss," Godbee said.


As Miller's family grieved Monday on what would have been her 25th birthday, they said they want answers.


Yolanda McNair had planned to bake a birthday cake Monday but instead was looking for her daughter's burial dress.


"What I need to know are the facts," McNair said.


Based on the preliminary investigation and witness accounts, Godbee said, the shooting occurred after Miller was dancing with Parrish, embraced him from behind and touched his waist. It doesn't appear Parrish touched the weapon, Godbee said.


One expert said several questions need to be answered to know whether such an accident is possible.


David Balash, a former Michigan State Police firearms examiner, questioned whether the holster could pivot or whether Parrish was bending over, given that holstered guns typically point with the barrel toward the ground.

Parents of  Adashia Miller want answers to this tragic shooting.

"It's just an incredible angle that they're asking you to believe," Balash said. "If the muzzle of the firearm were initially in a downward position, it would be such a dramatic twisting and turning of a weapon."


Balash also questioned why the officer wouldn't secure his weapon if he felt someone touching it.


"You have to defend your weapon," he said. "Weapon retention is just a basic understanding of police work."


Godbee said the weapon does not have an external safety, but has one in the trigger.


The Smith & Wesson M&P 40 can be made with or without an external safety, said Matt Rice of 
Blue Heron Communications, a public relations agency that represents Smith & Wesson. According to a news release from Smith & Wesson, the weapon has a trigger system that features a 6.5-pound trigger pull and is designed to prevent the gun from firing if it is dropped.


It is optional for Detroit police officers to carry their weapons while off duty. If they do, according to the policy, "off-duty sidearms shall be carried safely and concealed from public view."


John Goldpaugh, a lawyer for the Detroit Police Officers Association, told the Free Press on Sunday that the officer had his semiautomatic pistol in a holster inside his waistband and covered by his shirt.


Godbee also said Parrish's gun was concealed.


Parrish, a 16-year veteran of the force, has been placed on administrative restricted duty during the internal investigation.


Godbee said the shooting still is being investigated. It's unclear exactly how Miller was shot in the chest.


Given the type of soft holster, it may have been possible for the "trigger to be manipulated," Godbee said. In most incidents, he said, a weapon "does not go off without the trigger being engaged in some manner."


Godbee did not say whether Parrish had been drinking and didn't answer a question about whether he was given a Breathalyzer test.

Metro Police Chief Ralph Godbee, Jr. expresses sorrow. He demands an investigation into why his officer had a weapon while he was drinking!

It's unclear how many people were at the fish fry when the shooting occurred at 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Miller's family members and police said she did not know Parrish.


According to departmental policy, "off-duty officers are prohibited by state law from carrying a firearm if their blood alcohol level is 0.02% or above. In addition, members shall not carry a firearm in situations where an officer's performance may be impaired."


Under Michigan law, a driver with a 0.08% blood alcohol level can be arrested for operating while intoxicated.


Miller's family also wants to know whether alcohol was involved.


"We want to know if there was any alcohol in his system at the time," said Elizabeth Gilmore, 41, one of Miller's cousins.


Godbee promised a thorough investigation.


"I think it's very important at this point for us as a department to embrace what happened, to take a look at every possible scenario, balanced with what the witnesses' accounts are, make our investigative findings known to the prosecutor, and what the evidence presents it presents," Godbee said. "And we will do what's necessary as a department."


Funeral arrangements for Miller still were pending Monday.


Courtesy of ABC News