Sandy MaloneBurton, MI – A Burton police officer and a Genesee County sheriff’s deputy are both in critical condition after a suspect opened fire on them during a foot chase on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on Dec. 21 in the area of Saginaw Street and Bristol Road on Burton’s west side, WJRT reported.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said the Burton police officer and the Genesee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call about shots fired.
Leyton said that when the officer and deputy arrived on the scene, they spotted a man matching the description of the suspect and chased him on foot, WJRT reported.
The suspect tried to climb a fence as he was fleeing but it collapsed, according to the prosecutor.
The officer and the deputy were trying to pull the fence off of the suspect when he opened fire on them, shooting each of them multiple times, WJRT reported.
Leyton said both law enforcement officers returned fire and shot the suspect multiple times.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, WJRT reported.
The wounded officer and deputy were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition.
The sheriff’s deputy was still in surgery, WJRT reported.
“My thoughts and prayers are with them,” Leyton said. “I hope they recover from this terrible tragedy. This is a reminder of the danger officers face every day when they leave their home.”
Michigan State Police (MSP) and several other local law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist, WJRT reported.
Officials have not yet released any information about the identities of the wounded heroes.
Authorities have also not named the now-deceased gunman who shot the officer and deputy.
MSP is assisting Burton PD with an officer involved shooting that just occurred. NO ADDITIONAL INFO is available at this time, but will be posted here when it is. pic.twitter.com/UFEhgaM6OZ
— MSP Bay Region (@mspbayregion) December 21, 2021
DEVELOPING: Suspect killed, 2 officers in critical condition following officer-involved shooting in Genesee County, Michigan – WNEM
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 21, 2021
***BREAKING***
One suspect dead and two police officers in critical condition after a shootout in Burton Michigan. pic.twitter.com/iBR3TRtKnL
— TheFamily'sSoup TV (@FamilysSoupTV) December 21, 2021
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Holly Matkin
