YPSILANTI, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said a driver who was killed by deputies last week was not armed.
The news comes after original reports from the morning of the shooting that the driver was armed with a shotgun.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report below
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office says around 1:54 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, deputies tried to pull over a man driving 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 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.
Michigan State Police initially told 7 News Detroit that shots were fired by both the suspect and law enforcement.
In an update on Jan. 13, the sheriff's office said that there was no firearm found in the vehicle.
MSP then clarified that they made their initial statement based on the first release from the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office said they did not explicitly report that shots were fired by the suspect in their initial release, which appeared to have created confusion. Here's what the release stated: "Shortly after the crash, reports of shots fired were received and Metro Dispatch was advised that the suspect was armed with a shotgun."
The sheriff's office said Michigan State Police is continuing to investigate the shooting and that the sheriff's office is cooperating fully.
The deputies involved in this incident have been placed on leave, officials say.
"We recognize the gravity of this incident and the profound impact that any loss of life has on the community, the impacted family and first responders," Sheriff Alyshia Dyer said in a press release. "We will continue to share necessary information as it becomes available while also ensuring the integrity of the ongoing criminal investigation."
See surveillance video of the chase from a nearby business below
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.
