Michigan Officer Prevents ‘Senseless Tragedy’ After Trusting Gut Feeling On Domestic Call

Shelby Township, MI – A Shelby Township police officer may have averted a tragedy when he followed his gut during a domestic incident last Sunday.

The incident began on April 24 when police received a 911 call from a woman who reported that her 30-year-old estranged husband was threatening her, according to a press release from the Shelby Township Police Department.

The woman told police she thought her estranged husband was on the way to her home to hurt her and her family, including their two-year-old daughter.

She said that he had threatened to shoot up the house, according to the police department.

Shelby Township Police Officer Joseph Bacci responded to the woman’s home and took a report.

The woman told Officer Bacci that she was going through a divorce and that her soon-to-be ex-husband was a drug user who had taken her two handguns, according to police.

Her estranged husband arrived at the home while Officer Bacci was talking to the woman.

Officers questioned the irate man about the missing handguns and he said that he had sold them, according to Shelby Township police.

The estranged husband was ordered to leave the residence and not return, according to police.

But Officer Bacci felt uneasy about the entire situation when he left the woman’s house, so he stayed in the area and kept watch.

About 45 minutes later, he saw the estranged husband returning to his wife’s residence, according to the press release.

He spotted Officer Bacci watching him and fled.

The suspect tried to elude the officer but Officer Bacci caught up with him and stopped his vehicle at Van Dyke and Pacton, according to police.

Officer Bacci waited for backup to arrive before he approached the suspect’s vehicle.

It turned out that the estranged husband’s driver’s license had been revoked, the press release read.

Officers took him into custody and searched the vehicle.

They found a loaded handgun inside the suspect’s vehicle, according to police.

Police said the suspect did not have a concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit and he was arrested at the scene.

Officials credited Officer Bacci with having trusted his gut.

“Officer Bacci’s instincts probably prevented a senseless tragedy from occurring today.” Shelby Township Police Detective Lieutenant Terry Hogan said.