LANSING, MI – The Michigan Attorney General’s office determined that the Michigan State Police trooper who shot and killed a Detroit man acted in self defense and will not face charges.

The trooper shot and killed Stephen Wangara-Mason, 41, while conducting a traffic stop on May 16, 2025.

The trooper observed Mason driving in excess of the speed limit on M-10 in Detroit and initiated a traffic stop.

During the traffic stop, the trooper instructed Mason to exit his vehicle. When he exited the vehicle, the trooper asked Mason “What are you reaching for?” as a revolver fell from Mason to the road near their feet.

Mason lunged to retrieve the firearm and the trooper tried to prevent him from grabbing it.

During the struggle, Mason obtained the revolver and shot the trooper three times: twice in the chest and once in the clavicle.

The third bullet entered the trooper’s upper torso and required surgery.

The trooper reached his service pistol and shot Mason three times, killing him, as he held the revolver in his right hand.

Attorneys from the attorney general’s office reviewed video footage from the patrol car, body-worn camera, police reports, autopsy report, witness statements and interviews to make the determination.

The Department of Attorney General concluded the trooper’s traffic stop and request that Mason exit the vehicle were each lawful. It also concluded the use of deadly force was a justified exercise of self-defense.

A full report prepared by the Department of Attorney General can be viewed at this link.

The trooper was released from the hospital a day after the shooting.

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