MARSHALL, Mich. — A Calhoun County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man Wednesday morning in Marengo Township after the man, reportedly in the midst of a mental health crisis, pointed what appeared to be a rifle at officers, according to the sheriff’s office.
The man, identified as Michael Anthony Koch, 41, of Marshall, died at the scene despite deputies’ efforts to provide emergency medical aid.
Sheriff Steve Hinkley addressed the incident during a Thursday morning press conference, expressing sympathy for the family and community.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who’s affected by this,” Hinkley said. “It’s certainly an incredibly difficult time.”
Deputies responded to the home on 18 1/2 Mile Road, just north of Centennial Road, around 10:30 a.m. after a 911 caller reported that Koch was suicidal and had allegedly claimed via text messages to family members that he had shot himself. The texts included threats to harm any responding officers if police were contacted.
“If the cops show up and I’m still alive, I’ll shoot them,” Koch wrote in one of the messages, according to the sheriff.
When deputies arrived, they located Koch on the back patio of the home. Hinkley said Koch refused to follow commands issued by one of the deputies, who repeatedly told him to stand up and face away.
Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office shows the deputy issuing commands, and still images from the video depict Koch picking up what looked like a rifle-style gun. The deputy shouted at Koch to drop the weapon, and when Koch did not comply, the deputy fired.
Deputies immediately rendered first aid, but Koch succumbed to his injuries.
It was later determined that the weapon in Koch’s possession was a BB gun. Sheriff Hinkley emphasized that it closely resembled a real firearm, making it difficult for the deputy to distinguish in the moment.
The name of the deputy involved has not been released. The shooting is under investigation, and the deputy has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
Hinkley said the department is reviewing its response and acknowledged the mental health elements involved in the case.
“This is the kind of situation no officer wants to be in,” Hinkley said. “But when a subject threatens to harm themselves and others and appears to be armed, our deputies have to make split-second decisions to protect lives — including their own.”
