Suspect killed in police-involved shooting identified as Three Rivers man

 

WHITE PIGEON, Mich.—The man who was killed in a police-involved shooting in White Pigeon early Friday morning has been identified.

Michigan State Police say that David Sanders, 46, of Three Rivers, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Sanders’ autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Around 12:37 a.m. on Friday morning, officers with the Bristol Police Department were involved in a pursuit that began in Bristol and ended in White Pigeon near Barker Road and Vistula Road.

During the chase, the suspect vehicle "rammed into" a Bristol police patrol car, at which point shots were fired by a Bristol Police officer, Michigan State Police said.

First aid measures was performed at the scene, but the suspect, later identified as Sanders, was pronounced deceased.

Neighbors were shocked to hear that something like this would happen in their normally very peaceful neighborhood. Many of the residents living in the area for over 30 years said this is not a normal occurrence on this road and were confused as to why Sanders chose to drive over this way.

The neighbors recalled being woken up early, just after midnight, to the sounds of sirens and the flashing of lights.

And then more lights and sirens… as more police and other safety vehicles were showing up to the scene, including a helicopter that residents say landed in a field nearby.

They were told to stay in their homes as the road near the accident was blocked off—however many said they had no idea what was going on until they watched it on the news this morning.

According to Michigan State Police, no firearms were located in Sanders’ possession.

The Bristol Police officer sustained minor injuries during the incident and has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

The officer involved has been put on administrative leave until the pending investigation is complete.

The Michigan State Police were brought in to conduct the shooting investigation. Sander’s autopsy was conducted today, however the MSP are still planning to do ballistics and forensics testing.