The soldier involved in the Saginaw Co. shooting acted in self-defense, AG's office says

SAGINAW CO., MI (WNEM) – The Department of Attorney General (AG) has concluded that a Michigan State Police trooper acted in self-defense after a trooper-involved shooting occurred in Buena Vista in May.

The AG’s office made the announcement on Thursday, November 14.

MSP and officers from the Saginaw Police Department were dispatched to Buena Vista Charter Township to locate a person involved in an alleged shooting that occurred on May 26 around 9:30 p.m.

The suspect in the alleged shooting, a 63-year-old man, had fled with a 50-year-old female victim in a vehicle, MSP said, adding that he was stopped by troopers a short time later at Holland Avenue and Outer Drive.

Gunshots were fired from the suspect’s vehicle and an officer fired his weapon once into the rear of the vehicle toward the driver, but no one was hit, the AG’s office said. The trooper’s bullet entered the vehicle and lodged in the back of the driver’s seat.

The AG’s office said no more gunfire was exchanged from the vehicle or inside the vehicle, and the suspect surrendered his weapon.

MSP said the suspect was taken into custody and the woman was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

For this case, attorneys from the AG’s Office reviewed, among other things, written reports from MSP and the Saginaw Police Department, reports sent from Saginaw County, relevant 911 calls, dashcam footage, and scene photos and diagrams.

The AG’s office said it had completed its review of the incident and determined that — under all the facts and circumstances known to the officer that day — the use of firearms in this case, in self-defense and in defense of others, was justified and was legal.

“Law enforcement officers have the lawful authority to use force to protect the public welfare, but a careful balance of all human interests is required. An officer’s decision as to the level of force necessary to control an individual will be based on the officer’s perception of the threat and the subject’s apparent ability to carry out that threat,” the AG’s office said.

MSP has requested a review of the incident.

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