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 run out the back door of the residence. While speaking with the callers, it was noticed that the house was on fire.

The callers stated that they believed that the armed subject had fled North from the house into the woods. Deputies set up a permitter around the area and requested help from other agencies. As the investigation continued officers were advised that a subject fitting the suspect was seen in a field off Harris St. Deputies, along with MSP Troopers, responded to the area and spotted the suspect on the railroad tracks. MSP Troopers attempted to contact the suspect when shots were fired.

A second call received put the suspect near Pine Lake St. and Harris St. Deputies, along with MSP Troopers, contacted the suspect in a field where an exchange of gun fire caused the suspect to become incapacitated. After determining that the suspect was nonresponsive, Officers approached the suspect and began to render first aid. Ambulance arrived on scene and attempted to administer aid to the suspect who succumbed to his injuries.

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

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