Battle Creek Police have identified 44-year-old Brian Douglas Laxton of Battle Creek as the suspect killed after a high-speed chase Wednesday afternoon.
BCPD Sgt. Christof Klein confronted and shot at Laxton after a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office vehicle rammed Laxton’s vehicle to stop the chase in Battle Creek, and Laxton ran on foot. Klein is on paid administrative leave, following police procedure in these situations.
Michigan State Police continue their investigation, and we do not have additional new information at this time.
At about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Albion Department of Public Safety officers attempted a traffic stop because Laxton’s car did not have plates. Laxton fled west on I-94 and police followed. Officers who set up stop sticks to try and stop Laxton’s car reported that he pointed a hand gun out the window at them.
Calhoun County deputies joined the chase, and police said Laxton reached a speed of 120 mph. He exited I-94 at Beadle Lake Road, and Emmett Township Department of Public Safety officers joined the chase, which continued into Battle Creek.
In the area or Arthur and Goguac streets, Laxton reportedly shot at the officers behind him. The chase continued east, where a Calhoun County deputy rammed Laxton’s car near Oak Hill Drive and Willow Street. Laxton ran from the car, with the hand gun, and tried to enter an occupied home. The woman there did not know Laxton.
Klein confronted Laxton outside, telling him to drop the gun. Laxton turned toward Klein, with the gun in hand, and Klein fired multiple shots. Officers tried to give Laxton aid; he died at the scene. Officers recovered the gun from next to Laxton, as well as a second hand gun from the car he drove.
No one else was injured in this incident.
See the Police Department’s Dec. 22 press conference on the city’s YouTube channel. The direct link is https://youtu.be/3ciQY5o6Y2Q