BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WWJ) – A man has been killed in West Michigan after a high-speed chase ended in a fatal officer-involved shooting Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities say around 3 p.m. a police officer in Albion attempted to pull over a driver for not having proper registration, but the suspect fled and a chase ensued.
Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker said during a press conference there were six police departments involved in the chase, which reached speeds of 120 mph along I-94.
After the suspect exited the freeway in Battle Creek, an officer rammed the suspect's vehicle. The man then got out of his car with a gun and tried to break into an occupied home, according to Blocker.
Police ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, but he instead turned towards officers with the gun, and police shot and killed the man.
Officers immediately administered first aid to the man, but he died at the scene.
The officer involved in the shooting is said to be a 17-year veteran of the Battle Creek Police Department.
Authorities have not identified the suspect, but said he was a white male from Battle Creek in his 40s.
"The driver made a lot of threatening gestures," Blocker said. "One, by driving 120 mph on I-94, he's already telling us he doesn't want to get caught."
"And two, he pointed a firearm at officers while the pursuit was ongoing and then fired at officers while in the city of Battle Creek."
It was not immediately clear what led the man to flee police.
The investigation has been turned over to Michigan State Police.
Wednesday's incident was the second officer-involved shooting in Michigan in as many days. A man was killed and two officers were injured in Genesee County on Tuesday after reports of a man with a gun led to a foot pursuit.
