ALGOMA TOWNSHIP (AP) — The fatal shooting of a 30-year-old man during a struggle with a sheriff's deputy in western Michigan has been ruled justified.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker says in a report released Tuesday that Deputy Jason Wiersma shot Jonathan Sper to protect Sper's adult brother.
Wiersma and a second deputy were called Jan. 24 to the Algoma Township home after the brother refused to allow Sper into the house.
The deputies said they fought with Sper in a garage.
Becker wrote that Wiersma mistakenly believed Sper had a sharp object and ordered him to drop it. He said Wiersma was concerned Sper would attack his brother inside the house.
Becker also wrote that Sper suffered from a mental illness and had been drinking.
- Posted March 29, 2017
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Prosecutor rules man's fatal shooting by deputy justified
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- This Is the Moment
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- BigLaw partner won’t charge his $3,250 hourly rate to defend New Jersey cities in Trump administration suits
- After second federal judge withdraws error-riddled ruling, litigants seek explanation
- 5 hallucinated cases lead federal judge to kick 3 Butler Snow lawyers off case
- Bondi files ethics complaint against federal judge who reportedly expressed concern about ‘constitutional crisis’
