Video: Fleeing Suspect Opens Fire at Mich. Deputy Before Fatal Shooting
What to know
- Recently released body camera footage shows a suspect opening as he was fleeing from a Berrien County sheriff's deputy before he was fatally shot on June 30 in Niles Township.
- The suspect claimed to have no ID before fleeing on foot and drawing a gun during the pursuit.
- A second suspect fled in the vehicle, and the shooting is under investigation.
By Ryan Boldrey
Source mlive.com
BERRIEN COUNTY, MI — Bodycam video released Monday shows a suspect running from and firing at a deputy before being shot dead last week in Niles Township.
The suspect who was killed has been identified as Joshua B. Coffey, 48, of South Bend. Just prior to being shot dead, Coffey can be seen in the bodycam footage firing at Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy Cal Landon.
WNDU 16 obtained the bodycam video footage worn by Landon, which shows the suspect running from Landon.
As the video begins, Landon is approaching a vehicle which was already pulled off on the side of Third Street, south of Fort Street, at around 6 p.m. on June 30.
Two people, neither of whom were in the vehicle, are seen walking back to it.
Landon asks for ID as he approaches and Coffey responds by saying that he doesn’t have any, but it may be in the car.
Coffey then pauses in front of the car before taking off running across the street, down a sidewalk and into a park. As the deputy begins to give chase, the other suspect fled in the vehicle, Berrien County Sheriff Charles E. Heit stated previously.
While giving chase, Landon is heard calling in backup. He then orders Coffey to: “Stop or you are going to get Tased” and orders him to the ground.
Coffey then turns and faces the deputy, before pulling a gun from behind his back and firing at the deputy. Landon returns fire, killing the suspect.
“Deputy Landon performed exceptionally well under extremely stressful and dangerous circumstances,” Heit said in a released statement on Monday, July 7. ”While under fire, he transitioned from his Taser to his firearm and successfully neutralized the threat to his life and others.
“His actions reflect both his personal courage and the quality of training he has received.”
Landon, who is assigned to patrol in Niles Township, has been with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for almost two years, Heit said.
The deputy was placed on paid administrative per protocol, while the incident remains under investigation by the Michigan State Police.
No further information is available at this time.
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