Body camera footage released in Niles deadly police shooting

It shows a deputy, now identified as Cal Landon, chasing 48-year-old Joshua Coffey of South Bend, when Coffey crouches down and fires two shots at the officer, who then fires back, killing the gunman.

"The video shows the male subject was trying to ambush Deputy Landon by acting like he was giving up, and then dropped to one knee, pulled a firearm and shot at Deputy Landon," explains Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit in a press conference Monday.

Sheriff Heit walked ABC57 through the body camera video to show the intense moments leading up to the shooting.

Moments after the shooting, the next deputy on scene took over, per protocol, and checked on Coffey, who still had his finger on the trigger while he lay there.

It is only by God's grace Deputy Landon was not shot," says Sheriff Heit.

Sheriff Heit explains how Deputy Landon performed exceptionally well and swiftly neutralized the threat to himself and others.
He credits the crucial training that his officers undergo to prepare themselves for situations like this, on top of Deputy Landon's personal bravery.

"I stand 100% behind Deputy Landon and the actions he took,"Sheriff Heit says.

ABC57 asked Sheriff Heit about the unidentified woman who was with the man and fled in the vehicle while the shooting unfolded. He was not able to give her identity due to the ongoing investigation by the Michigan State Police, but he did say that both she and the vehicle were located.

Deputy Landon, who has been with the Sheriff's Office for nearly two years, is still on paid leave as of Monday.