MSP identifies suspect who allegedly shot trooper

BRANCH COUNTY, Mich. -- Michigan State Police have identified the man who allegedly shot at two troopers Wednesday morning as they attempted to serve a search warrant.

Detective Sergeant Aaron Steensma and Trooper Daniel Thayer went to 595 Francisco Road, Union City, to serve a search warrant related to a cold case around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.

The resident, 62-year-old David Kidney had a long gun and fired at the officers.

D/Sgt. Steensma was shot in the chest. Trooper Thayer was shot in the chest and hand, but his ballistic vest stopped the round to his chest.

Kidney died at the scene.

An autopsy was conducted in Grand Rapids Thursday morning. The preliminary results indicate he died of a single gunshot wound sustained while exchanging gunfire with troopers.

Steensma remains hospitalized in serious, but stable condition.

The family of D/Sgt. Steensma released a statement to ABC57 on Thursday:

We would like to start off by saying thank you to everyone for your outpouring support. Not only from the Michigan State Police but also surrounding police, fire and EMS agencies as well as friends and surrounding communities. We would like to give a special thanks to the personnel who helped take care of Aaron on the scene and help get him to safety, as well as all of the medical personnel who have provided excellent treatment and care for Aaron in his time of need.

Aaron is a family oriented guy and very involved in the community. He loves being involved with his children at their sporting events and he will be greatly missed while he continues to recover from this horrifying incident. It’s something we knew could happen at anytime but there is no way to prepare yourself for it when it does occur. He loves his job and we are all very proud of his accomplishments while working with the Michigan State Police. Please continue to keep Aaron and our family in your thoughts and prayers as well as all of the emergency responders out protecting and serving.

Friends within MSP have arranged for donations to be made at www.mspta.net/mstaf/donations/ or mailed to 1715 Abbey Rd Suite B East Lansing, MI 48823.

Be sure to put D/Sgt. Aaron Steensma in the In Memory/honor and support of box.