The case against a Lincoln Park man accused of charging at police with a box cutter will advance to Wayne County Circuit Court.
Judge Richard Page of the 24th District Court in Allen Park ruled after a preliminary exam on Monday, Feb. 2 that enough evidence existed against Steven Adelbert Strickland to bind over the case to circuit court.
Strickland, 36, is charged with felonious assault and resisting police in connection with the Jan. 4 incident in the median of Southfield Road near Roger Street in Allen Park, close to the city’s boundary with Lincoln Park.
Lincoln Park police officer Matthew Parker testified Allen Park authorities had called for assistance as Strickland walked in and around Southfield Road with a box cutter. Allen Park police said in a statement at the time that Strickland was holding the box cutter to his throat and was posing a threat to himself and others.
Parker told the court Strickland was threatening officers and telling police to kill him. Another Lincoln Park officer assured Strickland that police could get help for him.
Strickland advanced toward officers “in an aggressive manner” with the box cutter raised and the blade exposed. He ignored orders to drop the weapon, Parker said, adding he discharged his firearm three times when Strickland got less than 10 feet away from him, striking Strickland’s arm once.
Strickland was taken to a hospital. At his arraignment on Jan. 7, he received a $40,000 cash/surety bond. It was unclear Tuesday whether he posted it.
Lincoln Park police requested the Michigan State Police investigate the incident, as is customary in officer-involved shootings.
The state police have concluded their investigation and sent their findings to the prosecutor’s office, according to First Lt. Michael Shaw.
