YPSILANTI, Mich. (WXYZ) — A driver is dead in Ypsilanti after a police chase, crash and eventually law enforcement agents opening fire early Tuesday morning.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report:
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office says around 1:54 a.m. Tuesday, deputies tried to pull over a lone, male driver of a Nissan transit van that had no plates and no headlights on. The driver failed to stop, and a chase ensued. Officials say the driver was going the wrong way on Grove Rd., going off-roading, attempting to run into deputies and eventually, the crashing into a deputy's vehicle around 15 minutes later.
Watch our original live report, including a press briefing from Washtenaw County Commander of Community Engagement Eugene Rush
The crash happened near Prospect Street and Towner Street. Shortly after the crash, Metro Dispatch was told the suspect was armed with a shotgun. Shots were fired by both the suspect and police, and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
See surveillance video of the chase from a nearby business below
Michigan State Police are currently investigating. They say it's still not clear how many times the suspect was shot, and by how many deputies. His name has not yet been released, as authorities are still working to inform family members.
The Sheriff's Office says that there is no threat to the community, but the public is asked to avoid South Prospect Street and Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti at this time as Michigan State Police investigates the incident.
Resident Chris Cinonowech lives nearby and says was woken up to sounds of sirens and gunfire.
"Multiple shots, probably lasted over the course of eight seconds, maybe almost 10 seconds," Cinonowech said. "It was a lot going on."
Cinonowech says after this most recent incident, and the 30-hour long standoff that happened less than two miles from his home, he's worried the neighborhood has taken a turn.
"It's a little concerning. I have a daughter and a lot of people in my neighborhood have kids and we walk our kids and people are walking their pets, and it's gonna make you think twice," Cinonowech said.
MSP says the investigation is still in its preliminary stages and we should learn more about the shootout and the suspect in the coming days.
