Charles E. Beasley, a 38-year-old Detroit police officer and 12-year veteran, was shot and killed on Tuesday, November 22, 1988, during an undercover narcotics operation. The operation involved a pre-arranged buy at the parking lot of a White Castle at Livernois and West Warren. Beasley, a married father of three, was prepared to pay $25,000 for what he believed would be a large quantity of narcotics.

The suspects had no intention of completing the sale; the drugs were reportedly counterfeit, described as flour. When the suspects tried to take the money, Beasley resisted and a confrontation followed. One of the suspects fired, hitting Officer Beasley in the face; he died at the scene. Beasley’s undercover partners, positioned nearby, returned fire and wounded the gunman in the thigh. That suspect tried to flee but was captured by other officers.

Did anyone witness the parking lot exchange or have additional details about the people involved that could help clarify what happened?