Update: 5/19/10 - 12:41 pm - In the Detroit Free Press, sources from the police department have shared their account of what happened the night that Aiyana was killed.

Update: 5/18/10 - 1:39 pm - Attorneys file lawsuits on behalf of Aiyana Jones' family.

Update: 5/17/10 - 10:27 pm - Geoffrey Fieger, the attorney representing the family of Aiyana Jones, says police are trying to cover up the truth about what exactly happened.

Update: 5/17/10 - 6:48 pm - Video disputes police account of shooting. Says that shooting occurred outside the home, rather than inside.

"Profound sorrow" was expressed by police in Detroit on Sunday, after the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Jones. The little girl was killed by police executing a search warrant during a homicide investigation. Assistant Police Chief Ralph Godbee gave a statement expressing his regret, "This is any parent's worst nightmare. It also is any police officer's worst nightmare. And today, it is all too real."On Sunday morning, the police acted on a warrant at 12:40 a.m. on the east side of Detroit. Police were searching for the suspect in the shooting death of 17-year old Jarean Blake and believed the culprit was hiding at the home. Early reports say that the Detroit Police Special Response Team came in to the house and announced themselves as police.

"As is common in these types of situations, the officers deployed a distractionary device commonly known as a flash bang," the assistant chief said. "The purpose of the device is to temporarily disorient occupants of the house to make it easier for officers to safely gain control of anyone inside and secure the premise."

After entering in to the home, officers encountered a 46-year-old female in the front room. What happened from that point on is the subject of an ongoing investigation.

"At about this time, the officer's weapon discharged one round, which tragically struck 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley Jones in the neck and head area," said Godbee.

Aiyana was immediately taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her father, Charles Jones, told CNN affiliate WDIV, "She was sleeping and they came in the door shooting and throwing flash grenades ... burned my baby up and shot her, killed her."

Jones claims that officers were at the wrong house. But Godbee said that the suspect in Blake's death was found and arrested at the home. They also found a vehicle matching the description of the one used in Blake's shooting. Some witnesses are saying they warned the police that there were children inside the home, pointing to toys in the front yard.

"Because of the ruthless and violent nature of the suspect in this case, it was determined that it would be in the best interest of public safety to execute the search warrant as soon as possible and detain the suspect ... while we sought a murder warrant," Godbee said.

There isn't much to say about this terrible tragedy that we aren't already thinking. It's hard to presume that the officers were doing something unethical or illegal, especially if the suspect was in the home with the children. At the same time, I am hopeful that the Detroit police will review their procedures to find better ways to protect children and citizens, when they are confronted with dangerous situations. If officers were made aware that children were in harm's way, then apprehending the suspect should have taken a back seat to protecting the kids in that house.

I am sure that the officer responsible for the shooting feels terrible for taking this child's life. My father, who was a police officer for 25 years, said that there is a tremendous amount of emotional devastation when a cop is involved in a shooting, even in cases where it is justified. In this case, the shooting was clearly unjustified, but appears to have been accidental. May the truth be uncovered and may little Aiyana rest in peace.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.