2 days ago
Bath Township police officers placed on leave after tasing, shooting at suspect
BATH TWP. — At least two Bath Township police officers were placed on paid administrative leave after shooting at and tasing a male offender terrorizing township residents on July 12, at one point holding a knife to a resident's throat .
Injuries of victims were treated at the scene, and the offender arrested is in stable condition at a University of Michigan Health – Sparrow hospital, the Bath Township Police Department said on its Facebook page regarding an 'officer-involved shooting.'
Police did not provide an age or hometown of the suspect but said officers were not injured.
The Michigan State Police is investigating the incident, which is routine for officer-involved shootings.
Bath police said in their release that officers were dispatched to the 6000 block of Heathfield Drive, east of Park Lake Road and near Pine Hollow Drive, at about 2:27 p.m. because a 'suspicious individual' was walking through yards and trying to break into vehicles.
A caller said the suspect entered a garage at a neighbor's residence and wasn't seen departing.
Soon after, a second caller from the 16000 block of Nichols Road, also near Pine Hollow Drive, told dispatchers 'that he had been stabbed by an unknown person who entered his home. '
Officers were able to enter the Nichols Road home.
'The offender held the victim hostage with a knife to the victim's throat,' police said. 'During the encounter, the offender separated from the victim and fled out of a side door of the residence. The offender was still in possession of the knife and began running from the scene.'
Officers ordered the offender to stop, but he continued running towards the Meadows neighborhood.
'Both officers on scene discharged their service weapons,' police said.
The offender was able to enter an English Oak Drive residence, locking the door behind him.
Officers yelled and kicked at the door, and a resident was able to go to the front door to be removed and evacuated from the home, uninjured and unaware the offender was inside.
The offender fled again.
'One officer discharged his service weapon as the offender entered the neighbor's garage,' police said 'Officers apprehended the offender after a short struggle. A taser was deployed, and the offender was taken into custody.
'Officers on scene immediately rendered aid to the injured offender and requested emergency medical services.'
Police said all of the victims were treated on the scene.
'We believe this incident is contained and there is no ongoing threat to the public,' police said. 'The Bath Township officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy.'
Police were not immediately available for further comment.
Check back for updates.
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@ or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Bath Township police officers placed on leave after tasing, shooting at suspect
