DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

PRESS RELEASE:
OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BENTON HARBOR
Narrative:
On October 18, 2016 at approximately 2:17AM, the Benton Harbor DPS was dispatched to an unknown
address in the 900 block of Pavone in the city of Benton Harbor. The report was that of a male subject
being held at gun point by another male subject in a house on Pavone. The caller described the house
as having a certain type of vehicle in the driveway that signified the proper house of the incident in
question.
BHDPS officers arrived in the area and made contact with a house that fit the general description of
dispatch. Due the nature of the call, officers approached the house with caution. Upon making contact
with the residence, the officers were advised that no one from that residence called the police. The
residents were cooperative and allowed officers entry to check the house for any signs of trouble. The
officers found no signs of trouble. The officers then began to leave residence.
As the officers were exiting the house, an unknown subject emerged from the street and opened fire on
the officers. The suspect fired multiple shots. As officers ran for cover, one officer returned fire and
subsequently hit the shooter. Officers found that the suspect was in possession of two handguns on his
person. The suspect was taken to Lakeland Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The autopsy for the subject will be held today at 8:30am in Grand Rapids. The officer involved has been
placed on administrative leave pending investigation. No officers were injured in the incident. The
Michigan State Police have been called in to conduct the investigation.
A press conference is scheduled for today at 11:00AM in the Benton Harbor Commission Chambers.