Community Protests Southfield police Killing of Latino Man- 25 Yr. Old Shot Dead at Traffic Stop

SOUTHFIELD -- More than 50 people, holding signs saying "Stop police brutality" and shouting "Justice for Arvin," gathered on the front lawn of the Southfield Civic Center on Wednesday to protest the fatal shooting of Arvin Hermiz by a police officer in September. "This was my son. I'm not going to let this go," said Joe Hermiz, wearing a picture of his son on his shirt as motorists driving by honked in support. "It was an egregious shooting that didn't have to happen. It's been hell on Earth living without him." The 25- year-old West Bloomfield man was killed during a traffic stop Sept. 27 in which police said he tried to run down an officer. The officer, who has been with the department since May 2005, was conducting a routine traffic stop on southbound Telegraph near 10 Mile. Arvin Hermiz, who according to police was stopped for traveling more than 10 miles over the speed limit and for an obstruction of his license plate, pulled into a parking lot with a single driveway. He circled his vehicle around and drove toward the officer, said Southfield Police Lt. Nick Loussia. In an effort to stop Hermiz from running him over and fleeing the scene, the officer fired at the vehicle, striking Hermiz, according to the police report.

The officer's name and the number of shots fired haven't been released because of a possible wrongful death lawsuit from the Hermiz family. The case was investigated by Southfield Police for violation of internal rules and policy, and the officer was cleared. It was also forwarded to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, and the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office called it a justifiable shooting.

But Joe Hermiz says the shooting was not justified and is seeking justice for his son. The family is asking Attorney General Mike Cox to reverse Prosecutor David Gorcyca's decision in favor of a grand jury trial. Gorcyca said three people from his office, including him, independently reviewed the case.

"The passenger in the vehicle said the driver was intent on driving at and running over the police officer in an effort to elude capture," he said, noting Arvin Hermiz was on probation.

But Joe Hermiz maintains his son, who had had trouble with drunken driving and possession of marijuana, was not on probation. Also, he was unaware of a passenger in his son's car until six months after the accident. Joe Hermiz doesn't know the man.

"We don't trust their investigation because police investigating police involves a conflict of interest," he said