Local 4 News at 11 -- July 22, 2026

[00:00:01]Live from downtown Detroit, Local 4 News at 11:00 starts now.

[00:00:07]>> Activists are demanding the release of footage of a shooting that happened downtown last month on the night of the Ford fireworks. Thanks so much for joining us here for the news at 11:00.

[00:00:17]I'm Kimberly Gill. Police say Alonzo Lee Perkins was armed when he ran from officers and was shot several times.

[00:00:24]He's now been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting a police officer, and felony firearms. Noel Frill has been following this story tonight and Noel police say this court order actually stems from a lawsuit filed by the police union.

[00:00:42]>> Yeah, that's right. The department says the police union filed that lawsuit in response to an ordinance that would have required DPD to release body camera video of any use of force incidents within 30 days. As a result, the department says it can't release any body camera video of police shootings under a temporary restraining order.

[00:00:59]>> SAY HIS NAME.

[00:01:01]>> ALONZO!

[00:01:02]>> Activist groups gathered outside the Detroit police third precinct to demand the release of body camera footage of the police shooting of Alonzo Lee Perkins.

[00:01:11]>> I should have right now as a police commissioner mayor it is I'm calling to release the damn video. Make the video made public. We want transparency. We want accountability, but we also want to see the facts.

[00:01:21]>> It happened downtown on June 22nd, the night of the Ford fireworks. Police say they arrested a 19-year-old who was found to be carrying a rifle when Perkins, who say was also armed, ran from officers. At one point, police say an officer fearing for their safety shot at Perkins hitting him multiple times.

[00:01:40]Organizers of Wednesday's rally say they still have questions about what led up to the shooting.

[00:01:45]>> The DPD claims that he had a gun. Uh I say it doesn't even matter if he did.

[00:01:50]There's no reason to shoot somebody in the back.

[00:01:52]>> Police Chief Todd Betison said he plans to release the footage, but a temporary court order is preventing the department from being able to release body camera video of these types of incidents.

[00:02:02]>> Now we have what's called a TRO, a temporary restriction order, and that's from the courts, but I'm transparent and will release it as soon as I can.

[00:02:13]>> In a statement, the department said that order resulted from a lawsuit involving the police union, telling us the Detroit Police Officers Association filed an action in Wayne County Third Circuit Court the ordinance passed city council in October 2025 that would require DPD to release all body worn camera footage involving use of force incidents within 30 days was a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Going on to say this resulted in a temporary restraining order that prevents DPD from releasing body worn camera footage.

[00:02:48]And organizers tell me Perkins' family also has not seen that body camera video and are also asking for it to be released. Michigan State Police is currently investigating the shooting.

[00:02:57]We're live tonight, Noelle Friel, Local 4.

[00:02:59]>> Okay, Noelle. Thank you.

[00:03:03]New at 11, their families are demanding answers after four women have died in the last two months at Michigan's only women's prison.

[00:03:10]Families and community members gathered outside Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti tonight. They're calling for accountability after four women died there in just two months. The weekly vigil started after the first two deaths and have continued every Wednesday since then. Supporters say the prison in Mich- is the only women's facility in Michigan is riddled with black mold and plagued by medical neglect. They've given it a grim nickname, the valley of death.

[00:03:41]>> We want to extend our solidarity with the families of um Rebecca Feckley, Kyra Howard, um Ashley Hoath, and Delphinia Jones.

[00:03:52]Um and we also want uh um our state representatives and Governor Whitmer to know that we're not going to back down from this fight um until Krystal Clark is free and until um Women's Huron Valley is shut down.

[00:04:05]>> The families are calling on Governor Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers to take action. The Michigan Department of Corrections has not responded to requests for comment.

[00:04:15]A Taylor man is facing federal charges tonight accused of possessing and distributing child porn. 58-year-old Daniel Joseph Modlin is charged today, the same day federal agents executed a search warrant at his home. The FBI says the investigation dates back to 2018 when agents in New York first connected Modlin to explicit material, but at the time the FBI took no enforcement action.

[00:04:40]It wasn't until new tips surfaced over the last 2 years that FBI Detroit moved forward ultimately leading to today's arrest. In a statement, the FBI said, "Quote, Recently obtained information enabled FBI Detroit to advance this investigation." The agency says it does not comment on specific investigative decisions. Modlin is charged with distribution and possession of child porn.

[00:05:05]The video went viral last month and now the homeowner is facing charges after that pool party in Birmingham. Alex Simpson is charged with gathering of a disorderly person, breach of peace, and public nuisance. The incident happened last month on Westchester Way. Simpson told Local 4 he allowed a friend to host the event. Simpson was arraigned this morning and entered a plea of not guilty. He says he's considering suing the city for its handling of the case.

[00:05:32]We posted his full statement on our website, clickondetroit.com. Just scan the QR code on your screen.

[00:05:40]A Farmington Hills man is charged after police say he repeatedly left animal remains at the entrance of a Southfield Cemetery. Southfield police released surveillance video where detectives say 48-year-old Dwight Respess dumped fish and pigeons near the entrance of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery over several months.

[00:06:00]When investigators caught up with him, Respess says he left the remains as part of a personal religious practice he believed would protect him from death.

[00:06:10]He's now facing illegal dumping charges.

[00:06:13]Another twist in the Gordie Howe Bridge saga. Canadian officials say the bridge will open Monday, but a joint US-Canada ribbon cutting planned for Friday has been canceled. Canada's Minister of Housing and Infrastructure says they called it off after President Trump announced a new 50% tariff on certain Canadian goods. Canada now plans to hold its own ceremony Friday. It's unclear if the US will also hold a ceremony.

[00:06:39]An update tonight as the Cyclospora outbreak continues to spread. State health officials now report more than 7,000 cases. All of this is changing how people shop, especially for lettuce.

[00:06:51]Farms and restaurants say customers are calling and asking where their produce is coming from. Meanwhile, federal officials now say the Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce sample from Central Mexico was a false positive. Health officials confirm West Nile virus has been detected in Michigan for the first time this season. They say mosquitoes carrying the virus were found in outer Wayne County. No human cases have been reported in the state, but officials are urging residents to take precautions.

[00:07:20]So, that means using EPA registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when you can, and emptying any standing water around your home every week. Officials also recommend avoiding mosquitoes, especially at dawn and dusk when they're most active.

[00:07:38]Detroit is about to see some big changes at 11 neighborhood parks, and the price tag is roughly $20 million. 11 parks across the city, including Dorais Park, are slated for significant upgrades funded by the city and a variety of partners. The biggest draw, a brand new BMX bike park.

[00:07:56]>> It is really interesting because I never saw anything like that in Detroit. Like the most I saw was like a skate park.

[00:08:01]So, that's like really amazing for like new opportunities.

[00:08:05]>> Other parks are also in line for upgrades, including new accessible features at Heilmann Park, nature play areas at Semenak Park, and updated splash pads and tennis courts at Peterson Park. Construction at Dorais Park is expected to wrap up by next spring.

[00:08:22]All right. Now to the weather and a live picture of our Windsor sky cam. A cooler Wednesday night across Metro Detroit.

[00:08:30]Let's get over to certified forewarn meteorologist Christina Burkhardt with a forecast. Christina.

[00:08:35]>> Yeah, thanks Kimberly. We're looking at some chilly temperatures once again for tomorrow and also our Friday mornings.

[00:08:41]But, on the plus side, we're looking at a lot of sunshine as we head further into the end of the week here. Our next chance of rain holds off until Saturday night and then lingers into Sunday and Monday. So, overall for the forecast, yeah, not looking too bad for us all across the area. We are generally dry at the moment. We'll look to stay that way as we head further on through your overnight hours and getting into tomorrow as well. You can see across Southeast Michigan, nothing to worry about as far as that rain is concerned.

[00:09:08]We check in with local temperatures.

[00:09:10]Live look at Royal Oak showcasing those generally clear skies. Few clouds here and there with temperatures in the lower to middle 60s. We're at 61 in Monroe, 63 in Pontiac. Right now in Ann Arbor, 62.

[00:09:21]Royal Oak coming in at 66. Now, for tonight, we're going to drop back to at least the low 50s. Some spots could be even colder. We're going to talk about that coming up.

[00:09:30]>> All right, Christina. We'll see you in a bit. A big day here at Local 4 because today was the grand opening of our coffee shop, Four Grounds, in downtown Plymouth. The lines were out the door since 7:00 this morning and the community showed up in a big way. The shop is open 7:00 to 5:00 daily with a full menu for coffee lovers.