Body cam footage released of officer-involved shooting in Coloma

COLOMA, Mich. - ABC57 reported on a deadly police shooting in Berrien County last fall when a 40-year-old Hagar Township man shot a Coloma Police Officer.

Other officers on the scene then opened fire, killing the suspect.

Prosecutors determined the shooting was justified and body camera video obtained by ABC57 News through a Freedom of Information Request shows you exactly why.

At 12:40 p.m. on November 13, 2023, Coloma Police Officer Drew Wagner had his body camera rolling as he arrived on Bundy Road in Hagar Township, Michigan, on reports of 40-year-old David Simmons Jr. having a mental health crisis and armed with a gun on the property.

It was called in by Simmons' own family.

Moments later Coloma Police Chief Wes Smigelski arrived and spoke with Simmons' very worried father.

Less than two minutes later, the chief urged Simmons to give himself up peacefully.

But they didn't know exactly where Simmons was hiding on the wooded property with multiple sheds and outbuildings.

10 seconds later, Simmons opened fire, hitting Officer Wagner.

While police tried to get Wagner out of the line of fire, Simmons was gravely wounded in a shootout with the other officers.

Police and medics on scene unsuccessfully tried to save Simmons, while also treating Officer Wagner's gunshot wound.

Fortunately, Officer Wagner survived.

Officer Wagner is still recovering from his gunshot wound. Chief Smigelski tells ABC57 News Wagner is doing well and could be back on the job in the next two weeks.

The Berrien County Prosecutor's Office found the officers used "reasonable force" to stop an "immediate and extreme danger" that day.