Man fatally shot after confronting MSP officers with AR style rifle

BRANCH COUNTY, Mich. -- A 32-year-old man is dead after he confronted authorities trying to serve a warrant with an AR style rifle around 8 p.m. on Monday, the Michigan State Police report. 

Authorities say the Emergency Support Team that is part of the Michigan State Police was called by the Coldwater Police Department to assist in serving a multi-count felony arrest warrant for charges including home invasion. 

MSP officers at a residence located on Lucky Drive in Coldwater, where 32-year-old Richard Wilkinson, was residing.

"Upon arrival at the scene, Wilkinson confronted police while armed with an AR style rifle. In response, a single member of the Emergency Support team fired rounds at Wilkinson resulting in fatal injuries," MSP said. "Per MSP policies and procedures, the trooper involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation."

The scene is being processed by the MSP Lansing Lab and an autopsy will be performed at Corewell Health.

Authorities say the incident remains open pending further investigation, lab analysis, autopsy results, and prosecutor’s review, and the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney was notified, briefed on the situation, and observed the scene of the incident.