YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that no firearm was found in the suspect’s vehicle following a deadly officer-involved shooting earlier this month, correcting initial reports that the suspect was armed.
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In a follow-up statement released Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said radio traffic during the Jan. 6 incident indicated deputies believed the suspect had a firearm. However, investigators later determined that no gun was located in the vehicle.
The shooting occurred after deputies attempted to stop a van traveling without headlights or a license plate near Michigan Avenue and Prospect Road in Ypsilanti. Authorities said the driver fled, leading deputies on a pursuit through city streets.
According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect drove the wrong way on Grove Road and attempted to ram deputy and officer vehicles before crashing near South Prospect Street and Towner Street around 2:07 a.m. Shortly after the crash, an officer-involved shooting occurred, resulting in the suspect’s death.
No deputies, officers, or bystanders were injured.
SYNOPSIS:
1:54am: Deputies observed a van travelling without license plates and without headlights in the area of Michigan Avenue and Prospect Road in the City of Ypsilanti. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and fled, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the van was going down Grove Rd the wrong way and then the van attempted to ram officer and deputy vehicles.
2:07am: The van was involved in a crash near Prospect and Towner in the City of Ypsilanti with one of our deputies’ vehicles. Shortly after the crash, reports of shots fired were received and Metro Dispatch was advised that the suspect was armed with a shotgun. HVA and additional first responders were requested to the scene. The single occupant/driver was determined to be deceased.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation has been turned over to Michigan State Police, which is leading an independent criminal investigation in line with best practices for officer-involved shootings. The deputies involved were placed on leave following the incident and the sheriff’s office said it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Officials stated that additional details remain limited while the investigation continues and that the identity of the deceased has not been released.
The sheriff’s office acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and said it would provide further updates as information becomes available while preserving the integrity of the investigation.
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