Officer Mason Samborski (Oak Park PD)

[GirlInBrown]

Teen Accused Of Fatally Shooting Officer
Teen Expected To Be Arraigned Monday

POSTED: Sunday, December 28, 2008
UPDATED: 11:46 pm EST December 29, 2008

OAK PARK, Mich. -- A hearing seeking an automatic waiver to charge a 16-year-old as an adult in the shooting death of an Oak Park police officer has been adjourned.

Oakland County juvenile court officials said the hearing for Jonathan Belton will be held Jan. 5. It had been scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Lt. Mike Pinkerton said an arraignment on adult charges still is likely Tuesday afternoon in Oak Park District Court.

Police had been seeking Belton after officer Mason Samborski, 28, was shot to death following a traffic stop at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

The teenager reportedly told Samborski that Belton said he had a parent or a guardian living at a nearby apartment complex. Police said Samborski wanted to return the teen to his guardians instead of arresting him, so he put the teen in the back of his cruiser and drove.

Police said when the two arrived at the apartment complex, Belton struggled with Samborski and shot him in the hallway.

Neighbors told Local 4 they heard an argument and someone yelling "no" in the hallway and then a gun went off.

Police said Samborski may have been killed with his own weapon.

Investigators are still trying to piece together what exactly happened early Sunday morning.

"It's the worst possible thing that can happen in a police department. It's something you never want to face. Obviously our officers are heartbroken and very upset," said Chief John McNeilance of Oak Park Public Safety.

Belton showed up at the Oak Park Police Department with his father and his pastor to turn himself in Sunday afternoon.

He's being held at Oakland County Children's Village. Local 4 has learned Belton has a criminal history and successfully completed probation on a misdemeanor assault charge in Wayne County.

"I'm shocked. He's a good kid. That's out of his character," said Belton's aunt, Lodonn Nash.

Samborski was a four-year veteran of the force, police said. He is survived by his wife and 13-month-old child.

The Samborski family issued a statement saying, "The family is absolutely devastated by this tragedy. We would like to thank our extended family and friends for their prayers and support. We also extend our thanks to the Oak Park Police Department, as well as all agencies assisting with this investigation and the Providence Hospital Emergency Staff."

Local 4 also spoke with Samborski's in-laws Monday evening.

The Ziemba’s are devastated by the loss but are trying to stay strong for their daughter and granddaughter.

"We do our best. Both of us seem to break out crying at different times," said Steven Ziemba.

What's more they're saddened their granddaughter will probably be too young to remember her father.

“She'll never know her father which is so sad because he was such a tremendous outstanding man,” said Beth Ziemba.

Visitation for Samborski will be Dec. 30 from 2 to 8 p.m. The viewing will be at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 31 at St. Patrick's Church in Brighton and the service will follow at 11 a.m.

Copyright 2008 by ClickOnDetroit.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report

[Terminator]

.

Officer Mason Samborski was shot and killed while conducting an investigation following a traffic stop. He had a stopped a juvenile suspect and took him to a nearby apartment complex in connection with an investigation.

After arriving at the location a struggle ensued in which Officer Samborski was fatally shot. The suspect fled the scene with his service weapon but was apprehended the following day.

Officer Samborski had served with the agency for 4 years. He is survived by his wife and child.

[Wolven]

RIP

[Odd]

...Officer Mason Samborski, 28, was shot to death following a traffic stop at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

Rest well and thank you.

[kjlaw]

Rest easy my brother

[BigDawg]

RIP my Brother

[Jenna]

Rest in peace.

[Donut Aficionado]

Belton has a criminal history and successfully completed probation on a misdemeanor assault charge in Wayne County.

"I'm shocked. He's a good kid. That's out of his character," said Belton's aunt, Lodonn Nash.


ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!???? Out of his character?? If he was convicted of an assault charge before how many did he commit before he caught the charges, how many has he commited since then?? I'm so sick of hearing the family of a dirtbag telling the news how sweet and innocent he was.


Rest in Peace Brother.

I'll be at his funeral tomorrow. This just breaks my heart.

[Pudge]

Rest easy brother

[2 Blue 4 U]

Rest in Peace, My condolences to his family and friends.

Police Officer Mason Samborski
Oak Park Police Department
Michigan
End of Watch: Sunday, December 28, 2008
Cause: Gunfire

Biographical Info
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available

Officer Mason Samborski was shot and killed while conducting an investigation following a traffic stop. He had a stopped a juvenile suspect and took him to a nearby apartment complex in connection with an investigation.

After arriving at the location a struggle ensued in which Officer Samborski was fatally shot. The suspect fled the scene with his service weapon but was apprehended the following day.

Officer Samborski had served with the agency for 4 years. He is survived by his wife and child.

Agency Contact Information
Oak Park Police Department
13600 Oak Park Boulevard
Oak Park, MI 48237

Phone: (248) 691-7520

Please contact the Oak Park Police Department for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.

[bird1]

R.I.P Brother

[CTR man]

Belton has a criminal history and successfully completed probation on a misdemeanor assault charge in Wayne County.

"I'm shocked. He's a good kid. That's out of his character," said Belton's aunt, Lodonn Nash.


ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!???? Out of his character?? If he was convicted of an assault charge before how many did he commit before he caught the charges, how many has he committed since then?? I'm so sick of hearing the family of a dirtbag telling the news how sweet and innocent he was.

Rest in Peace Brother.

I'll be at his funeral tomorrow. This just breaks my heart.

That's because they either have blinders on, are in denial, just plain stupid, or any combination of those three.

My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen.

[10-42Adam]

Very sad. RIP

[Donut Aficionado]

I just got home from the Funeral. It was a beautiful ceromony, befitting of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others. There must have been a thousand patrol cars, the Oakland County Air Unit and The Coast Guard Air Unit provided a fly by, I believe it was Livingston County who provided the Honor Guard. A lot of other departments sent Honor Guard and there were to many agencies to list. I hope the news shows an overhead shot of the ceromony, just so the rest of the world can see what kind of brotherhood we have here.

[gopherpuckfan]

Rest in peace, Officer Samborski.

Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

[Buttercup]

Rest in peace.


The shooter is being charged as an adult.

[deputysykes]

thoughts and prayers

[Captain America]

Day Is Done

Gone The Sun

From The Hills , From The Lake, From The Sky

All Is Well , Safely Rest;

GOD is Nigh

Rest in peace Ofc. Samborski. Comfort to family and friends.