(WWJ) The Michigan Attorney General's Office is investigating the case of a young man hit and killed by a Michigan State Police trooper in an unmarked car near Grand Rapids.
This happened on April 17, as 25-year-old Samuel Sterling — who had warrants out for his arrest — was running from police outside a strip mall in Kentwood.
Attorney Ven Johnson. who represents Sterling's family, said the trooper who hit Sterling intentionally drove an MSP vehicle over a curb, and onto the sidewalk beside a fast food restaurant, to reach him.
The trooper has been suspended without pay during the investigation.
MSP has released video of the incident. **PLEASE NOTE: This video is graphic and will be disturbing to many viewers. You can watch it here.
Johnson said the MSP footage is very difficult watch.
"To see and hear how much pain he was in, in terms of his moaning and begging for help, it was highly emotional. And I felt horrible that any mom or dad had to watch such a video today," he told WWJ Newsradio 950's Luke Sloan
Johnson said Sterling did not have a weapon during the chase.
"No one person should be able to appoint themselves as judge, jury and executioner, yet deaths from police brutality and excessive force continue to occur too often," Johnson said. "We will continue to seek justice for his family and hold accountable those responsible for his death."
While the AG's office is determining whether criminal charges will be filed, Johnson said he holding off on filing a a civil suit, for now.
In a statement, Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady, II said the trooper driving the vehicle that struck Mr. Sterling was not wearing a body cam due to his assignment on a federal task force, and the unmarked vehicle he was driving was not equipped with an in-car camera.
Before releasing the video footage to the public, Grady said he met with the Sterling's family so they could view the video footage privately.
“As Director of the Michigan State Police, I assure the Sterling and Cage families and the communities we serve that we will continue to be transparent in this investigation and will fully cooperate with the Michigan Department of Attorney General as they begin their review. The Michigan State Police has a proud tradition of service through excellence, integrity and courtesy, and we intend to uphold that standard,” Grady said, in a statement.
This is what happened, according to MSP:
"The MSP Sixth District Fugitive Team was working a fugitive arrest operation with other police agencies in Kentwood, attempting to locate Mr. Samuel Sterling who was wanted on multiple warrants.
"At approximately 11:20 a.m., officers observed Mr. Sterling at a gas station at 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue, putting air in a vehicle’s tires. Upon approaching him, he fled on foot. Several officers pursued him on foot and an MSP member was driving an unmarked vehicle.
"They ended up converging in the parking lot of Burger King on Eastern Avenue, where the vehicle driven by the MSP member struck Mr. Sterling.
"Emergency medical support was summoned to the scene and transported Mr. Sterling to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries and passed away." [More information from MSP about this case can be found here.]
In a statement issued after the public release of the video on Friday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said this young man's is unacceptable.
“My heart is with his family and the Grand Rapids community. The state trooper involved is on unpaid suspension. The MSP investigation has been completed and Attorney General Dana Nessel is reviewing to make a final determination on any charges," Whitmer said.
The governor added: "I have full faith that her office will work quickly to arrive at a fair and just decision as to whether criminal charges are appropriate. In light of video footage showing a departure from MSP protocols and the high standards of the department, my expectation is the State of Michigan will take steps to terminate the trooper’s employment if criminal charges are issued.”
The trooper's name is not being released at this time.