Deputies Fire 20+ Rounds Into Crashed Van; Suspect Unarmed

On January 6, 2026, in the early morning hours, Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies responded to 911 calls in Ypsilanti Township regarding a white van driving erratically. The first call at approximately 1:24 a.m. reported reckless driving. A second call at about 1:30 a.m. claimed the driver threatened a man's wife with what was believed to be a handgun.

Deputies attempted to stop the van, but the driver failed to comply, leading to a vehicle pursuit. During the chase, the van drove erratically and reportedly attempted to reverse toward deputies at times. The pursuit ended when the van crashed and rolled onto its side near Prospect and Towner streets, close to the Washtenaw County Human Services Center and Villa at Parkridge Nursing Home.

Deputies approached the vehicle, issuing commands for the driver to show his hands. A deputy shouted "gun" (initially reported as a shotgun), prompting four deputies to fire multiple rounds—at least 20 shots—into the van. The driver, a 35-year-old man from St. Clair County, was killed at the scene. No firearms were found in the vehicle upon subsequent search by Michigan State Police, confirming the suspect was unarmed despite initial on-scene communications.

No deputies were injured, and none were struck by the vehicle. The Michigan State Police are investigating the incident. Four deputies involved remain on administrative leave pending the outcome.