(WWJ) A sheriff's deputy in Southeast Michigan will lose his job after he accidentally shot an unarmed suspect more than a year ago.
According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, 54-year-old Kirk June, who was a K9 handler with the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, has pleaded no contest to one count of willful neglect of duty.
On April 3, 2022, officials said June was using a K9 to search for a suspect in a shooting in Adrian.
According to Michigan State Police, Adrian Police had asked for help to find a man who'd pulled a gun at a home on Erie Street, and fired shots.
The dog tracked and found a man lying on the ground in a nearby vacant lot, unarmed.
The AG's office said that's when June pulled out his weapon and "accidentally discharged it," hitting the man in the shoulder.
The wounded victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.
June was initially charged with with careless discharge of a firearm causing injury and was placed on administrative leave. He later took a plea to the lesser charge.
“Officers who harm the community members they are sworn to protect must be held to account,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, in a statement.
“The reckless or negligent shooting of an unarmed suspect is a serious offense, not a workplace accident. I’m grateful to my department’s staff for their work on this matter. Not everyone is cut out to wear a badge and this plea will ensure this defendant no longer serves as a Lenawee County Deputy.”
As a condition of his plea, June must resign from his position with the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office.
While not an admission of guilt, a no contest plea is treated the same as a guilty plea at sentencing.
Willful neglect of duty is a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a year in prison, or a fine of up to $1,000.
June's sentencing is set for Aug. 4.
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