Waterford police fatally shot a man who reportedly pulled a gun on officers after a pursuit, police sources say.
Police say a domestic situation at around 3:30 Friday morning on Barkman Drive ended with police shooting and killing a man after a chase.
The man has been identified as Steven Ballard, 56.
Todd Ballard, Steven's brother, says he had bipolar disorder and suffered from manic depression. Todd's mother called early Friday morning saying Steven had beaten her.
She told Todd not to call police. Todd said shortly after, he got a call from his brother Steven saying he's going to come over and shoot him and his family.
Todd said he didn't know his brother had a gun but was concerned after learning he had harmed his mother. Police escorted Todd out of the home and minutes later, Steven showed up.
Steven was a veteran, Todd said, who was denied disability and was running out of money. He has a wife and two adult children.
Todd said Steven had tried getting help, but it wasn't helping.
Bloomfield Police say the 56-year-old white man left the scene before they arrived. Around 4:25 a.m., police spotted the suspect in a vehicle and tried to stop him. Police say Steven failed to comply and a short low speed pursuit began.
When police finally stopped the suspect, officers approached his vehicle and ordered him to show his hands. Steven did not comply, raised a shotgun at officers while seated in his vehicle and pointed it at one of the officers.
The officers then fired on the suspect after reportedly fearing for their lives, retrieved the shotgun and immediately provided aid. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two Waterford Township Police officers were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
