BENTON HARBOR (WWJ) — A suspect and a police officer are hospitalized after a member of the Michigan State Police shot the suspect Wednesday afternoon in Southwest Michigan.
The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. in Benton Harbor, about 50 miles west of Kalamazoo on Lake Michigan.
MSP officials say a member assigned to the 5th District and a Benton Harbor police officer were on a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon when they learned the driver had a federal parole warrant for absconding.
After refusing to get out of the car, the suspect "abruptly backed up, turning the vehicle's wheels at the same time," according to MSP. As this happened, the Benton Harbor police officer's leg was hit
"To stop this immediate life-threatening action, the MSP member fired his weapon, hitting the suspect twice," MSP officials said, noting the shots "stopped this deadly force action."
Both the suspect and officer were taken to Corewell Hospital in St. Joseph to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect has since been arrested and lodged at the Berrien County Jail. Authorities have not released any information about the suspect, including the initial conviction prior to his parole.
The officer remained hospitalized in stable condition late Wednesday afternoon. The MSP member has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation, per department policy.
When the investigation and lab analysis results are complete a report will be submitted to the Berrien County prosecutor's office for review.
Authorities say there are no threats to the public steaming from the incident.
