LANSING (WWJ) A Lansing man was arraigned on 17 felony charges in connection to disarming and shooting police in 2024.
Andrial Ortiz, 30, is accused of disarming at least three officers from the Lansing Police Department and shooting one officer in the leg.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office (AG) says Lansing Police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Ortiz' vehicle on April 10, 2024. With Ortiz' consent, they conducted a search of his vehicle in the rear parking lot of an apartment complex near the intersection of Holmes Road and Pleasant Grove.
Authorities said they found suspected narcotics inside his car and attempted to arrest Ortiz, as he struggled and resisted.
"During the struggle, it is alleged that Ortiz attempted to remove one officer’s service pistol from its holster and then removed another officer’s service pistol from the officer’s belt. The gun was quickly recovered by another officer, removing it from Ortiz’ grip," the AG's Office said.
Ortiz disarmed another officer and fired once, shooting him in the leg; according to authorities.
The officer fired back and struck Ortiz below the knee. Officers gave him medical attention at the scene and rushed him to the hospital. Both Ortiz and the officer survived.
The AG's Office reviewed the officer-involved shooting and found the use of force justified.
“Disarming an officer is an incredibly reckless act; one that gravely endangers officers on-scene and all nearby members of the public,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “My office is committed to ensuring police can do their jobs as safely as possible, and we will work to hold this individual accountable in the courts.”
Ortiz was charged with:
-One count of Resisting & Obstructing a Police Officer Causing Serious Impairment, a 15-year felony,
-Two counts of Disarming a Police Officer, a 10-year felony,
-One count of Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer, a 5-year felony,
-Two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, a 5-year felony,
-One count of Resisting & Obstructing a Police Officer Causing Injury, a 4-year felony,
-Two counts of Resisting & Obstructing a Police Officer, a 2-year felony, and
-Eight counts of Felony Firearm, Second Offense, a 5-year felony upon which convicted persons must be sentenced to consecutive terms of incarceration.
He was arraigned Friday, August 8, in 54A District Court in Lansing. He was charged as a Habitual Fourth Offender and given a $100,000 bond. He is due back in court on August 22.