KALAMAZOO, Mich. — More information is being released about what led up to officers shooting and killing a man in Kalamazoo on Tuesday.
Officers said the initial call came in around 10 a.m. from an employee at a local hospital. The caller said a man, now identified as 60-year-old Timothy Kurt Holden, had repeatedly called her and said that he had an AK-47 and a 9mm handgun with 30 rounds.
Officers said Holden warned the caller that if she did not respond to him, there would be a "tragedy."
The caller had a personal protection order against Holden. Police said Holden had also cut off his court-ordered tether. His history includes arrests for home invasion, assault, armed robbery and stalking, police said.
Because of this, the hospital was placed on a partial lockdown as a precaution.
Holden was found driving in Kalamazoo around 12:30 p.m. Officers said they attempted to box in his vehicle just north of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. As officers walked up to Holden's vehicle, they saw that Holden had a gun.
The incident led to two officers firing shots at Holden. While life-saving measures were attempted, Holden later died at a hospital.
A handgun was later recovered at the scene. Officers said Holden was not able to legally own a firearm due to his criminal history. Police said he was also under a no-bond warrant for felony drug charges and multiple violations of his conditional bond.
Witnesses at the park also claimed Holden had been using methamphetamine shortly before officers made contact.
The Michigan State Police are now handling the investigation. Both Kalamazoo officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave.
"KDPS remains committed to transparency and the safety of the community. The Department will continue to provide updates as the investigation unfolds," police said in a release. "Residents should be assured that every effort was made to safely apprehend the suspect and prevent further harm to the community."
