TCPD Officers Involved in Shooting Death of Domestic Assault Suspect

Multiple Traverse City Police Department officers are on paid administrative leave pending an investigation after they shot and killed an alleged domestic assault suspect Friday who was armed with a knife and charged at them at a Munson Place residence.

According to the TCPD and Michigan State Police, officers reported to the 400 block of Munson Place at 4:45pm Friday in response to a reported domestic assault involving a knife. When officers arrived, they saw a man lying on the floor. When officers announced their presence, the man got up and - armed with a knife - came at the officers. Officers gave "loud verbal commands" to drop the knife, according to TCPD Chief Matt Richmond. The man did not comply, so officers deployed a taser. That was "ineffective," Richmond says, at which point officers deployed their department-issued firearms.

Officers gave life-saving measures to the 50-year-old man, but he died from his shooting injuries. The victim of the reported domestic assault, a 58-year-old woman, was taken to Munson Medical Center. The woman's condition was unknown as of Friday evening. No officers were injured in the incident. 

Because of the involvement of officers in a fatal shooting, Richmond said he requested MSP investigate the incident. All TCPD officers who responded to the scene have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation. MSP Seventh District Public Information Officer Ashley Miller said MSP's special investigation and crime lab departments are conducting a "full investigation" of the incident. Calling it a "very active scene," Miller said MSP would provide more updates when available.