Suspect killed by trooper identified

AMBER TWP. — William Jackson Marble, 68, was the man shot and killed by a Michigan State Police trooper Tuesday night. The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. at 1221 N. Dennis Rd., near the intersection Hansen Road. The trooper was responding to a 911 hang-up call at that address.

According to 1st Lt. Kevin Leavitt, commanding officer of the Hart MSP post, as the trooper was contacting a female occupant of the residence, Marble appeared and confronted the trooper with a weapon.

The trooper then fired one shot, striking Marble in the chest. Marble was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital by Life EMS ambulance where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Leavitt said state police personnel are required to follow strict guidelines in the discharge of weapons. “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,” Leavitt said.

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