Edwardsburg 911 calls about intruder turn into a housefire, fleeing suspect, and officer-involved shooting

The caller stated that a man was at the house, had kicked in the front door, and was armed with a handgun. Another 911 call came in seconds later from a female at the residence stating her husband was in her house and was armed. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted both callers who had escaped out of the back door of the residence. The callers stated that they believed that the armed subject had fled North.

As new information came into the newsroom this afternoon and evening, it was confirmed that the original callers were a mother and son, and that the intruder was the woman's husband. 

The suspect had fled the residence on foot into a wooded area north of the property, leading to a large-scale law enforcement response involving multiple agencies. The situation later escalated into an officer-involved shooting near Pine Lake Street and Harris Street following an exchange of gunfire with responding officers.

The suspect had become incapacitated. After determining that the suspect was nonresponsive, officers approached the suspect and began to render first aid. An ambulance arrived on scene and attempted to administer aid to the suspect who succumbed to his injuries.

Back at the original residence, and while speaking on the phone with the residents who had fled, officers noticed that the building was on fire. The Edwardsburg Fire Department was contacted and responded to the reported structure fire. The firefighters were informed about the active law enforcement situation involving an armed subject. 

Based on the information provided by law enforcement, fire apparatus and personnel were directed to stage at the intersection of M-62 and Davis Lake Road until the scene could be secured for firefighter safety. Once law enforcement secured the area, fire crews were cleared to enter the scene at approximately 3:00 PM. Firefighters extinguished what remained of the residence and conducted overhaul operations to ensure the fire was fully contained.

The Edwardsburg Fire Dept. was assisted in their efforts by Clay Fire, Howard Township Fire Department, and the Central Cass Fire Department. No firefighters were injured during the incident, and the incident remains under investigation by the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

All officers involved in the shooting are being investigated by the Michigan State Police 6th District Investigative Response Team. The suspect has been identified as a 45-year-old male from the Edwardsburg, Michigan area. Family has been notified.

Deputies were assisted in the investigation by Michigan State Police, Edwardsburg Township Police, Cassopolis Village Police, Pokagon Band Tribal Police, Edwardsburg Fire Department, SMACS Ambulance, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office or the Michigan State Police, Niles Post.