What to know
- A Muskegon Heights police officer on his way to work was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with an armed man while responding to a disturbance.
- The suspect fired at a vehicle, exchanged gunfire with a homeowner and then clashed with a police officers.
- Police fatally shot the armed man, who was wanted on assault and other charges.
MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI — Police fatally shot an armed man just minutes after a gunfire exchange wounded a Muskegon Heights police officer.
The police officer later was treated and released from a hospital.
Muskegon Heights police said an officer was on his way to work about 7:45 a.m. Monday May 5 when he witnessed a disturbance in the 2300 block of Baker Street.
The officer, who was in full uniform, stopped to handle the disturbance and, soon after, there was an exchange of gunfire between himself and another man.
The officer was struck by gunfire, but was able to call for help and also give a description of the armed man.
Police then learned about 7:51 a.m. that the armed man was on a home’s porch in the 2400 block of Reynolds Street. He fired a gun at a passing vehicle, striking the vehicle but not injuring anyone inside.
The homeowner, who had a gun, then fired at the armed man on the porch. Police said it appeared the armed man was struck and returned fire at the homeowner.
The armed man then fled the porch.
Officers from several police departments then converged on the Reynolds Street area.
Two officers, one with Muskegon Heights and the other with Muskegon, then located the armed man in an alley in the 2400 block of Howden Street.
Police said the person refused commands to drop the weapon, a handgun.
Police said he appeared to point the gun at one of the officers. Both officers then fired their weapons, striking the man.
Officers attempted life-saving measures and he was taken to an area hospital, but died.
Muskegon Heights police said the man who died was wanted on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and being a habitual offender.
Muskegon County prosecutors had issued warrants on May 1.
The officers who fired their weapons at the armed man have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard policy.
State police are investigating the incident.
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