Police in Detroit, Michigan have released footage showing suspect Hakeem Littleton shooting a gun at close range towards police and then an officer firing back, causing Littleton to fall to the ground and die.

The incident took place Friday night.

Police said Littleton, 20, was no more than 3 feet away from officers when he started shooting.

Soon after the shooting about 100-200 protestors met at the site chanting "Black Lives Matter" and "Defund DPD". Police said social media reports incorrectly said that Littleton was not armed.

They released the video quickly to dispel the social media posts.

Police used tear gas on the crowd and protestors said they were detained. They later marched to a local police station and held a short standoff with police.

The shooting occurred as officers were investigating another person when Littleton, a bystander, initially looked calm and even raised his hands before reaching to pull out a semi-automatic pistol.

Eight shots were fired in five seconds, four by Littleton, and four by three different officers.

Littleton's shots missed and no officers were harmed.

Craig said Littleton, who was on probation for an unarmed robbery, had seemed to say something about not allowing officers to arrest his friend before he started firing.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting.

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