NORTON SHORES POLICE DEPARTMENT

4814 Henry Street, Norton Shores, MI 49441

Emergency 9-1-1 Administrative (231) 733-2691 Fax (231) 798-1968

PRESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: FROM: December 4, 2012 Lt. Jon Gale

RELEASE

Armed Subject On December 4, 2012 at 0951 A.M., officers from the Norton Shores Police Department were dispatched to the 6100 block of Lake Harbor rd. Officers received a call from family members of Charles Byer 51 yrs . They were concerned for Byers wellbeing and wanted officers to check the home because they were concerned for his safety. Probation officers confirmed that there was a probation violation detainer for Byer and he had not appeared for his scheduled appointments. While investigating at the scene Byer appeared in the front yard with a hand gun. Byer refused to drop his weapon after several commands by police. Byer then walked several hundred feet away from his home and sat down near a shed. Norton Shores officers secured the scene and began talking with Byer. The Muskegon County Emergency Response Team was then called to assist with security and negotiations. Negotiators spoke with Byer for two and a half hours. Officers then heard one shot. It was then confirmed that Byer had fired a self-inflicting gun shot. Medical was brought in and rushed him to the Hackley hospital where he is in intensive care as of 6:10 pm.