Nationwide — Tracey Allen, an African American mother from Detroit, Michigan, survived being shot six times during a traffic stop and is now suing the officer involved and the city. She says the encounter escalated without cause and left her with serious injuries.
The shooting happened on October 26, 2025, near Eight Mile and Van Dyke. Police described the incident as a routine traffic stop, but it quickly turned violent, sending Allen to the hospital with gunshot wounds to her arms and legs.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, police said the officer pulled Allen over for speeding, tinted windows, and an obstructed license plate. During the stop, Allen questioned the reason for being pulled over and asked for a supervisor. A supervisor was never called. Allen later said the interaction made her fear for her life.
While still in her vehicle, Allen called 911 and told the dispatcher she felt unsafe. As she remained on the line, the officer requested backup. When additional officers arrived, they opened her car door and tried to remove her. She was pepper-sprayed, closed the door, and drove away, saying she was trying to reach a police station.
Officers followed Allen for about a mile before blocking her vehicle. They ordered her to get out, but she shook her head and continued moving toward the station. Moments later, officers fired multiple shots into her car, striking Allen six times.
“I thought I was going to die,” she said.
Days after the shooting, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison ordered Allen released from jail after reviewing body camera footage. He said multiple department policies were violated and that the video did not match the initial account he received. Bettison also stated that officers should not pursue drivers for traffic violations.
“We will pursue individuals who have committed violent crimes only,” Bettison said. “As officers, we are trained to de-escalate situations. Failing to request a supervisor when one is requested falls in line with a citizen complaint.”
The officer who fired the shots, Zachary Melvin, was suspended without pay and remains off duty. Allen has filed a $25 million federal lawsuit against Melvin and the city. Her attorney, Maurice Davis, said Allen posed no physical threat during the encounter and is seeking accountability from both the officer and the department.
City officials and the Detroit Police Department declined to comment due to the ongoing case.