Mich. Police Officer Shot while Chasing Pipe Bomb-Lobbing Suspect

Nov. 7, 2024
A Jackson police sergeant is in good condition after he was shot through his arm and into his body while pursuing a suspect who opened fire and threw pipe bombs at authorities.

A Jackson police officer was wounded and a suspect killed in a shooting Wednesday that followed a vehicle chase, officials said.

They also said pipe bombs were found in the suspect's vehicle.

Police said the incident began in Lenawee County.

Lenawee County Sheriff's deputies informed Jackson County deputies and Jackson police they were tracking a shooting suspect who fled to their area, according to authorities.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly shot his brother in Lenawee County at about 4:30 p.m. and a tracking device in his vehicle indicated he was heading to their jurisdiction.

Jackson police found his vehicle, a maroon van, in the 1000 block of Cooper Street near North Street on their city's east side. Police and sheriff's deputies coordinated to arrest the suspect, investigators reported.

Officials said they approached the van and the suspect sped away. Authorities pursued the van.

In the first few minutes of the chase, the suspect allegedly fired a weapon at the officers in pursuit, they said. The rounds struck several vehicles and homes but no one was injured, according to police.

They also said there were multiple explosions in addition to gunfire during the chase. Investigators believe the suspect was throwing pipe bombs out of his vehicle at police.

Officials said a Jackson police sergeant was struck by a round fired by the suspect at 5:40 p.m. at the intersection of Van Dorn and Elizabeth streets, less than a mile from where officers first found the suspect's vehicle.

They said the round went through the sergeant's arm and into his body. A sheriff's deputy took the wounded officer to a hospital, where he is listed in good condition.

Police managed to stop the suspect vehicle and multiple shots were fired during the attempt to arrest him, they said. The suspect was shot during the exchange and incapacitated, officials said.

Authorities rendered aid before he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officials said the officers and the sheriff's deputy involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation and an investigation by the Michigan State Police.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect should call the Michigan State Police at (517) 322-1907.

Police also warn anyone who finds one of the devices the suspect allegedly threw out of his van's window to refrain from picking them up. They should call 911 instead.

The incident follows other gun incidents involving law enforcement in southeast Michigan.

In October, Detroit police fatally shot a man after he allegedly fired a gun at officers who approached him.

Last week, after prosecutors announced charges against three 18-year-olds in connection with the death of an Oakland County Sheriff's Office deputy in Detroit last summer.

__________

©2024 The Detroit News.

Visit detroitnews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Sponsored Recommendations

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!