Washtenaw County, MI – Dashcam footage from a deputy-involved shooting in the Ypsilanti area was released Thursday morning, shedding new light on a deadly police encounter that followed a vehicle pursuit earlier this month.
According to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, the video was released at 11 a.m. Thursday and includes footage from responding deputies involved in a January 6 officer-involved shooting. Officials say portions of the video were redacted to protect personal identifying information and sensitive material, and additional evidence will not be released at this time.
The incident began in the early morning hours of January 6 when two separate 911 calls were received reporting a white moving or construction-style van being driven erratically in Ypsilanti Township. The first call came in at 1:24 a.m. A second call at approximately 1:30 a.m. reported that the driver allegedly threatened the caller’s wife with what appeared to be a handgun.
Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the van did not stop, leading to a pursuit. Authorities say the suspect vehicle drove erratically and at times attempted to reverse toward deputies. The pursuit continued into Ypsilanti City, where it ended following a collision and crash.
After the crash, deputies approached the vehicle and issued loud verbal commands for the driver to show his hands. During the encounter, a deputy is heard yelling “gun,” after which multiple deputies discharged their firearms. Another deputy reported shots fired.
The driver, identified as a 35-year-old white male from St. Clair County, died at the scene. A subsequent search did not locate a firearm in the vehicle, officials confirmed.
The Michigan State Police are conducting an independent investigation. All involved deputies were placed on administrative leave. Authorities emphasized the investigation remains active and ongoing.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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