KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Kalamazoo Township police officer was injured Thursday morning after being shot by a fleeing assault suspect in Kalamazoo. The officer is currently in stable condition, while the suspect, a 23-year-old man from Portage, is in critical condition.
The incident began on the west side of Kalamazoo Township near Kendall Street, where officers responded to a domestic assault call. The suspect, who has a criminal history and has been out on parole since April 2024, allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and pointed a gun at her before fleeing the scene.
Around 11 a.m., law enforcement located the suspect near the intersection of Oakland Drive and Howard Street. Officers from Kalamazoo Township and Western Michigan University Public Safety approached the suspect, ordering him to stop. According to Kalamazoo Township Police Chief Bryan Ergang, the suspect ignored the commands and attempted to run away.
Body camera footage released by the department captures the tense moments as the officers pursued the suspect. The Kalamazoo Township officer can be heard shouting, “Do not move” and “Stop,” as he chased the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect turned and fired a handgun, striking the officer in the leg near the pelvis. The officer, visibly injured, can be heard reporting, “I’m hit, I’m hit,” as the bullet made contact.
In response, the officers returned fire. Ergang stated that the suspect’s actions, including firing at officers, warranted their use of force. The suspect, who had threatened deadly force, continued to flee after the exchange of gunfire.
The Kalamazoo Township officer and the suspect were both transported to the hospital following the shooting. The officer remains in stable condition, and the suspect is in critical condition. No further details on the identities of the individuals involved have been released as of Thursday afternoon.
As per standard procedure, the Western Michigan University officer involved in the incident has been placed on administrative leave, and the Michigan State Police are investigating the shooting.
In the aftermath of the incident, law enforcement set up a perimeter around the area of Oakland Drive and Howard Street. Officers were also seen near the Kalamazoo Public Schools Administration building, prompting a brief lockdown at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts. The school district later confirmed that no students or staff members were involved in the shooting.
Chief Ergang expressed his concern for the safety of his officers, noting that they often put themselves at risk to protect the community. “Every day, our police officers go out into our community to protect citizens, often people they don’t know, and respond to violent crimes to help protect our community,” he said. “Today, one of our own was a victim of a crime.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to gather information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
