VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — A 52-year-old Van Buren County man was in so much pain overnight Tuesday that he took drastic measures to get help.
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office said around 1:45 a.m., several neighbors along Gravel Lake Drive in Porter Township called authorities to report the sounds of gunshots and a man yelling.
Neighbors helped deputies figure out who was shooting off the rounds in the backyard, and this wasn't the first time deputies had dealt with the man.
Deputies, Michigan State Police and the Lawton Police Department all responded to the home and set up a perimeter around the house.
Authorities were able to make contact with the homeowner, who exited his home upon hearing officers order him out.
Deputies removed multiple rifles and shotguns from his home, including the four they said were used in the incident. All weapons were lined up and resting against the house, just outside the door, the sheriff said.
The man told deputies that he suffers from severe foot and leg pain, and he needed an ambulance.
However, when he tried to call 911, poor cell reception wouldn't allow his calls to go through.
Frustrated, and believing he had no other way to call for help, he figured if he started shooting his guns in his yard, it would cause a disturbance that would make his neighbors call 911. That would ultimately get him the help he needed.
An ambulance took him to a local hospital for treatment.
The sheriff's department is forwarding the case to the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office to review the reckless discharge of a firearm charge.
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