A 22-year-old Marshall man died, and three law enforcement officers are on paid administrative leave, after an incident overnight that involved a shooting.
We are not releasing his name, pending notification of his family.
The shooting took place at about 12:15 a.m. today in the area of Logistics Drive, in the city’s Fort Custer Industrial Park.
Just before midnight, two Battle Creek Police officers working in the same patrol car attempted to stop a vehicle they observed traveling recklessly in the area of Dickman Road and M-66. The vehicle at times swerved into oncoming traffic lanes, and the officers suspected the driver may be intoxicated. The vehicle did not stop, leading officers on a pursuit south on M-66, then westbound I-94, at times exceeding speeds of 90 mph.
A Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office deputy joined the BCPD officers, and the chase continued to Columbia Avenue, Skyline Drive, and Logistics Drive, where the suspect vehicle left the road and crashed in the woods.
As officers approached on foot, the suspect driver suddenly drove toward the officers, and all three officers fired shots into the vehicle. It is unclear at this time how many shots they fired, and whether any struck the suspect. The suspect vehicle struck the BCPD vehicle, causing extensive damage, then crashed again in the woods.
Officers, along with LifeCare Ambulance and Battle Creek Fire Department staff, attempted to give the driver first aid, but he died at the scene.
Michigan State Police now are investigating the incident, with full cooperation from the Battle Creek Police Department and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. The officers and deputy involved are on paid administrative leave, pending the investigation’s outcome.