Watch Shootout Erupt Between Mich. Police, Stolen Gun Suspect

Body and dashboard camera footage captured an exchange of gunfire that broke out when a Grand Rapids police rookie and his trainer confronted an 18-year-old man about a stolen firearm.

Nov. 13, 2025

2 min read

What to know

• An 18-year-old suspect allegedly fired multiple shots at two Grand Rapids police officers on Nov. 11 after they tried to speak with him about a stolen firearm.

• The suspect fled and was arrested a block away after a drone located his discarded gun.

• Police Chief Eric Winstrom said the incident highlighted how quickly encounters can turn violent.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — An 18-year-old shot at two Grand Rapids police officers in broad daylight within seconds of officers initially trying to speak with him.

Both officers returned fire, but no one was hit in the exchange. The shooting was a reminder of how quickly incidents can turn violent, according to Grand Rapids’ top police officer.

Both officers are on administrative leave while Michigan State Police investigates the shooting.

The Grand Rapids Police Department released dashcam and body-worn video on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from a shootout between two officers and an 18-year-old man.

Officers were patrolling around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, near Blaine Avenue SE and Adams Street SE when they noticed a man walking in the area, Grand Rapids police Chief Eric Winstrom told reporters at a press conference Wednesday.

Investigators wanted to speak with the man about a stolen firearm. The man was familiar to police, Winstrom said.

The officer who spotted the suspect was training another officer who had been on the job for about six weeks. They exited the patrol vehicle and tried to approach the man.

“Come here a minute buddy, we got to talk to you,” one officer tells the man.

“Get your hands out of your pocket,” the second officer quickly adds.

The man began to walk away from police when he abruptly turned around and fired at least four gunshots at officers. Police returned nine shots in the exchange.

Police launched a drone to conduct surveillance in the area, and it picked up the heat signature of the suspect’s discarded firearm.

The man was located about a block away and arrested.

“This was a stark reminder of how quickly a situation can go from mundane to deadly,” Winstrom said.

The police chief said he was pleased to see someone trying to “murder two police officers” off of the street. Winstrom said the incident could have been much worse.

“I would not be talking about forgiveness if one of my officers was dead today,” Winstrom said.

Charges are pending against the alleged shooter, who has not been identified, in Grand Rapids District Court. He could be arraigned as early as Thursday, Nov. 13.

_________________

Visit mlive.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.