Battle Creek Police arrested a 49-year-old Battle Creek man who had a mental health crisis, and fired an officer’s duty gun.
Police responded to the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Capital Avenue NE at 4 p.m. today. The man was dancing in traffic, intentionally trying to be hit by passing cars. The officers who arrived determined he was having a mental health crisis. They evaluated the situation and tried to de-escalate it by letting the man know they wanted to help him.
The man continued acting and speaking irrationally, and officers decided to take him into protective custody and take him to the hospital for evaluation, as he would not go willingly.
The man resisted, and fought with the officers. During the struggle, he tried to take an officer’s gun. He was able to pull the trigger, and the gun shot through its holster. It appears that the shot grazed the officer’s leg, causing a minor injury.
Officers were able to arrest the man, who was not injured. The officer sought treatment at a local hospital.
Police placed the man in the Calhoun County Jail, pending charges. He also will receive appropriate mental health care.