BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — A woman was shot in the hand by a Benton Harbor officer early Sunday morning, according to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety (BHDPS).
BHDPS said around 3:45 a.m. an officer was on patrol when he found a disturbance surrounding a Chevy Malibu in the 400 block of Vineyard.
The officer then got out of his vehicle and approached a crowd of people.
Police said the Chevy Malibu briefly drove east on Vineyard before stopping and doing a three-point turn, driving back toward the crowd of people.
The suspect vehicle then sped up as it approached the crowd and side-swiped two people as it briefly stopped, then sped up again toward more bystanders and the officer who was standing next to his vehicle.
When the suspect vehicle sped up again, police said the officer was in a position between the Chevy Malibu and his patrol car.
Police said the officer shot into the suspect vehicle and the driver was struck in her right hand.
The suspect, 18-year-old Elajah Walker of Benton Harbor, was removed from the vehicle and given medical aid, police said.
BHDPS said she was then taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injury and released. She's being lodged at the Berrien County Jail on felony charges.
Police said the cause of the disturbance and the following incident was a love triangle.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending administrative investigation of the incident.
The Michigan State Police are conducting an investigation regarding any possible criminal charges of the officer-involved shooting.
Police said body and patrol car camera footage will be made available after being reviewed and authorized to be released by the Berrien County Prosecutor's Office.
BHDPS was assisted by the Benton Charter Township Police, St Joseph Department of Public Safety and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and incident.
