The Michigan State Police are investigating after two police officers were shot and a suspect was killed during a Thursday night shootout in Benton Harbor.
The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. in the 700 block of Highland Avenue.
Dan McGinnis, Benton Harbor’s director of public safety, said during a Friday press conference that officers were on the lookout for 32-year-old Dustin LeVell Saffell, who had multiple warrants out for his arrest including felony home invasion and unlawful imprisonment as well as domestic violence charges.
McGinnis said Saffell had successfully fled from police four times in the past week and had posted several videos to social media where he bragged about escaping and displayed several extended ammunition magazines.
While on patrol Thursday night, McGinnis says Benton Harbor police Sergeant Gee spotted Saffell’s car parked in a driveway. Gee called for backup, and Officer Kinzler arrived.
Gee then approached Saffell’s car, and footage from his body camera shows Saffell get out of the front passenger seat holding a handgun with an extended magazine.
Saffell then raised the gun and began firing at Gee, who returned fire along with Officer Kinzler. At least 15 rounds were exchanged and Saffell was killed.
Sergeant Gee was hit twice — once in his chest, which was stopped by his bulletproof vest, and once in his leg. Officer Kinzler was shot three times, twice in his midsection — which was stopped by his belt — and once in his leg.
McGinnis said both officers were taken to Lakeland Hospital. Kinzler was treated and released while Sergeant Gee underwent surgery. He remains in the hospital in a stable condition.
The department’s major incident protocol means both officers will get counseling and mental health support, McGinnis said.
“That takes as long as it takes,” he said.
The department is conducting an internal investigation to make sure policy was followed — for example, both body cameras were on — and the Michigan State Police are conducting an external criminal investigation into the incident.
Contact Jakob at jlazzaro@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @JakobLazzaro.
Contact Gemma at gdicarlo@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @gemma_dicarlo.
If you appreciate this kind of journalism on your local NPR station, please support it by donating here.
