TAYLOR, Mich. – Four Taylor police officers shot a man after he pointed a handgun at them during a traffic stop outside a Sheetz gas station and convenience store.
The shooting occurred on Monday (July 6) around 11:40 a.m. in the 20600 block of Eureka Road.
The officers had stopped a U-Haul truck that police said was connected to an armed robbery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Taylor Police Chief John Blair said an officer on patrol received an alert from the city’s Flock camera system and an in-car license plate reader indicating the U-Haul had been flagged in law enforcement databases in connection with the Ohio robbery.
Blair said the robbery occurred on June 30 and that vehicle information was entered into national law enforcement databases and the Flock camera network on July 1.
After confirming the vehicle matched the one sought by Ohio police, the officer waited for backup before initiating a traffic stop in the Sheetz parking lot.
“The officer turned on his emergency equipment,” Blair said. “The driver slow-rolled toward the exit, and other officers moved in to block the vehicle.”
According to Blair, the driver refused commands to exit the truck and backed into a patrol vehicle while attempting to escape.
He then opened the driver’s side door and pointed a handgun at officers.
“At that time, he pointed a gun at our officers, and they protected themselves, firing a number of rounds to subdue that individual,” Blair said.
Authorities recovered a handgun from the driver’s side floorboard, Blair said.
He said he could not confirm whether the suspect fired any shots because the investigation has been turned over to Michigan State Police, which investigates officer-involved shootings involving local police agencies.
The 38-year-old suspect, who identified himself as being from the Canton, Ohio, area, was struck multiple times and taken to a local hospital. Blair said the injuries initially appeared to be survivable.
A female passenger, who police said identified herself as being from Mississippi, was detained and is cooperating with investigators.
Blair said authorities are still working to confirm the identities of both occupants and determine their relationship.
Police said the U-Haul was also listed as stolen and had been used in the Ohio robbery.
Blair said investigators believe the incident involved an armed robbery at a Dollar Tree store in the Cleveland area, during which a suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money.
Blair credited the department’s Flock camera system and automated license plate readers with helping officers locate the vehicle.
“While those cameras captured that vehicle, that information popped up on our officer’s computer screen,” Blair said. “The officer checked the area, confirmed it was the wanted vehicle, and called for additional officers before making the stop.”
Michigan State Police are leading the investigation into the shooting, while Cleveland authorities will continue investigating the underlying armed robbery case.
At the scene, investigators placed dozens of evidence markers around the parking lot as they processed the area. Bullet holes were visible in the windshield of the U-Haul.
Witnesses described hearing a barrage of gunfire.
“I heard gunshots and glass breaking,” one witness told reporters.
Another witness, Ken Causey, said he had arrived with his children only moments after the shooting.
“You never know driving anywhere what might happen,” Causey said. “It’s a shame.”
The four officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, consistent with department policy during officer-involved shooting investigations.
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