GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A man is dead after being shot by police in Grand Rapids on Friday night, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.
GRPD said at 10:45 p.m. multiple 911 calls were made reporting that were was a person near Trinity Health brandishing a gun.
Police responded and found the man near Jefferson and Maple.
GRPD said multiple commands were made by multiple officers to drop the weapon.
According to police, when the man didn't comply, three officers fired their weapons, shooting the suspect.
The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
In a police briefing held on Saturday evening, GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom said they had interacted with the man several times over the past month to provide him with mental health services.
According to Winstrom, it doesn't appear that the man was intending to hurt anyone or any officers, but instead had been intending to end his own life with "suicide by cop."
Winstrom said he couldn't clarify for certain if the man was holding a real gun or a "gun-shaped object," but from what he saw, it did not appear to be a functioning firearm.
“While I am thankful that no officers or bystanders were hurt in this incident, it is incredibly sad that this individual appeared to believe there was no other alternative than advancing and aiming at an officer,” said Winstrom.
Body camera and in-car camera video footage from the shooting was shown at the briefing.
“Since I took this job as chief, I have been committed to releasing available video of any officer involved shooting as soon as possible without impacting the ongoing MSP investigation,” said Winstrom. “The video shown today is a compilation of clips in GRPD’s possession to provide the context and circumstances of yesterday’s incident.”
The Michigan State Police is investigating the shooting and the officers were placed on administrative leave, per procedure.
GRPD noted this information is preliminary and could change as the investigation unfolds.
CONTENT WARNING: The video below contains footage provided by GRPD of the shooting and the man's death. Viewer discretion is advised.