MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — A Muskegon Heights police officer was shot and injured Monday morning during a violent encounter with a suspect who later died after being confronted by officers. The incident began around 7:45 a.m. on Baker Street and quickly escalated into a chaotic scene that involved multiple gunshots fired at officers, bystanders, and nearby vehicles.
According to the Muskegon Heights Police Department, the officer was on his way to work when he stopped to investigate a disturbance in the area. Upon approaching the scene, the officer encountered the suspect, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The officer was struck by the suspect’s bullets but managed to radio for help before being transported to a local hospital. He was treated and released the same day, with Chief Maurice Sain confirming that the officer was “doing well.”
Five minutes later, authorities received reports of the suspect on Reynolds Street, a few blocks away from the original scene. The man was seen shooting at a passing car, though no one inside was injured. Neighbor Danyell Watkins, who witnessed the incident, said he saw the suspect running toward his car and opening fire.
“He shot at the car a couple of times,” Watkins said. “He shot at me multiple times. Everyone was scared. Everybody was running. It was a lot of chaos.”
Fortunately, Watkins and his passengers were unharmed during the incident, but the frightening exchange left many in the neighborhood in fear.
A local homeowner on Reynolds Street fired at the suspect, striking him. However, the shooter managed to return fire and flee the scene. Police later heard the gunfire and began searching for the suspect.
Minutes later, officers from the Muskegon Heights and Muskegon Police Departments located the suspect in an alley behind a house on Howden Street, near the site of the initial shooting. The suspect, still armed, reportedly refused to drop his weapon and aimed it at one of the officers. In response, both officers fired their weapons, hitting the suspect.
The suspect was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet released the name of the deceased man, but they did confirm that he was wanted on charges of assault and weapons offenses, as well as being a habitual offender.
Residents in the area expressed concern over the dangerous situation. Scottie McKinley, a neighbor, described hearing multiple gunshots and worrying about the safety of his grandchildren. “I know the bullets that leave the chamber don’t have a name on them, so that is a concern,” McKinley said.
The tragic sequence of events highlights the tense and dangerous nature of police encounters with armed suspects. While law enforcement acted swiftly to contain the situation, the exchange of gunfire posed significant risks to both officers and bystanders in the neighborhood. The Muskegon Heights Police Department continues to investigate the incident as more details emerge.
