Man dies after being shot by trooper

AMBER TWP. — A 68-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday night by a Michigan State Police trooper. The incident took place around 11 p.m. at a residence on North Dennis Road near Hansen Road. Troopers were dispatched to the residence by Mason/Oceana Central Dispatch to respond to a possible 911 hang up call. As the trooper contacted occupants of the residence the 68-year-old man confronted the trooper with a weapon. The trooper fired one shot striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to Spectrum Hospital-Ludington by ambulance. The suspect died a short time later at the hospital.

“State Police personnel are required to follow strict guidelines in the discharge of weapons,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Leavitt, commander of the Hart post. “MSP policy permits officers to point or discharge a firearm in self-defense or defense of another when he or she reasonably believes there is imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.”

A full and complete investigation of this incident is currently underway by the Michigan State Police, Leavitt said in a statement.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Ludington Police Department, and Life EMS.