- A suspected gunman was found dead in a field after opening fire on police
- Two Michigan State Police officers were investigating a cold case when they were shot in Union Township
- Detective Sgt. Aaron Steensma is in serious but stable condition and Trooper Daniel Thayer was saved by his ballistic vest
- Police are still trying to determine the cause of the suspect’s death
Two Michigan State Police officers were shot on Wednesday while investigating a cold case.
A suspected gunman opened fire using a long gun on the officers as they attempted to enter a home in Union Township.
‘When troopers announced their presence prior to making entry into the residence, the suspect leveled a long gun at the officers. They were attempting to take cover when the detective sergeant was shot in the chest and a trooper received a grazing wound to the hand,’ a press release said.
Detective Sgt. Aaron Steensma (left) is in serious but stable condition and Trooper Daniel Thayer (right) was saved by his ballistic vest after a suspected gunman opened fire on the two officers
State Police Detective Sgt. Aaron Steensma was shot in the chest and remains in serious but stable condition.
Trooper Daniel Thayer was saved by his ballistic vest and a bullet grazed his hand. He refused medical treatment.
The gunman was found dead in a field behind the house. Officers are still investigating the cause of death. No details have been released regarding the identity of the suspect.
‘A member of the @MichStatePolice was shot & seriously injured in the line of duty this morning. Please keep him, his family and his colleagues in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you to all the men and women in law enforcement who are working hard to protect all of us every day’, Governor Rick Snyder tweeted.
‘Thanks to the quick actions of troopers at the scene and the excellent medical attention he received from ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, West Michigan Air Care, and the trauma team at Borgess Medical Center, D/Sergeant Steensma is doing remarkably well for the seriousness of his injury,’ Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue said.
The search warrant was related to an investigation surrounding the shooting death of 62-year-old Duane Finney, according to Fox17.
He was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to the head.