Police fatally shoot suspected arsonist in Salem Twp. after chase, crash
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Updated:
By Ronnie Dahl, Fox 2 News -
Wrecked Ford Ranger pickup truck driven by the suspect. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) -
A dramatic police chase ended after 18-year-old Gabriel Stevenson,
behind-the-wheel of a red Ford Ranger pickup truck, lost control on an
icy roadway and crashed into Kevin McGraw's home near Six Mile and
Dixboro Road.
"I threw on my shoes and jacket and came out to see
if I could help whoever crashed in here, and the cops were on the PA
telling me to get back in my house," said McGraw.
The early
morning drama started several miles away at Six Mile and Napier Road.
Northville Township police officers in the area on patrol came across
the red truck. It was unoccupied. A short time later a call came in
that a car was on fire in the same location as two arson fires reported
in early December. That's when the officers spotted the suspect driving
away.
"At that point a traffic stop was initiated by Northville
Township officers. After a brief discussion with the suspect, the
suspect pulled a revolver and shot one round at the officers and
Northville Township officers returned fire," said Public Safety Director
John Werth.
The suspect's bullets just missed the officer
and shattered a mirror on the police cruiser. Michigan State Police
joined in. They followed Stevenson for several miles before he crashed
his truck into McGraw's house. He tried to break into the home through a
window, but failed. That's when we're told the teenager turned his
attention to the police officers.
"A knife was seen by the
suspect. Northville Township officers used the less lethal force, which
is a bean bag weapon, and shot him four times with that weapon," Werth
said. "That did not stop him. What ensued after that is the suspect
came at one of the officers and he was fatally shot and he was
pronounced dead at the scene."
It was a Michigan State Police
trooper that fired the fatal shot. He has been put on administrative
leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard
protocol. We're told dash cam video will show that the shooting was
justified.
We did reach out to Stevenson's family. They declined to comment at this time.
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Wrecked Ford Ranger pickup truck driven by the suspect. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
