MECOSTA COUNTY (WWJ) - An off-duty Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer shot and seriously injured a person after trying to intervene in a physical fight at a Mid-Michigan campground over the weekend.
A spokesperson for the state DNR, Ed Golder, confirmed the details on Thursday, May 18, and said the officer was camping with his family at a Mecosta County campground on Saturday, May 13 when the shooting incident occurred.
Sometime in the evening hours, DNR officials said a physical altercation broke out between two campers. The officer had tried to break up the fight when the situation escalated.
"The conservation officer who was there intervened and ultimately fired his weapon and struck one of the individuals involved," the DNR clarified in a statement.
The person who was hit was seriously injured and remains hospitalized. Officials said a second person was also injured in the altercation, but did not have to stay at the hospital.
The DNR officer was not hurt in the incident. He has since been placed on administrative leave while state police investigate the incident.
No other information was released.
