Edwardsburg man dead after armed encounter with police

A 45-year-old Edwardsburg-area man was killed Wednesday afternoon following an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers in Jefferson Township, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies were dispatched at 12:08 p.m. to the 29000 block of Davis Lake Street after receiving a 911 call from a man who reported an armed suspect had kicked in the front door of a home. Seconds later, a woman at the residence called 911 and said her husband was inside the home and armed with a handgun. Deputies arrived and made contact with both callers, who had escaped through the back door of the residence. While speaking with them, deputies noticed the home was on fire. The callers told authorities they believed the suspect had fled north into a wooded area. Law enforcement established a perimeter and requested assistance from several agencies as the search continued. Authorities later received information that a person matching the suspect’s description had been seen in a field near Harris Street. Deputies and Michigan State Police troopers responded and spotted the suspect on nearby railroad tracks. According to the sheriff’s office, troopers attempted to contact the suspect when shots were fired. A second report later placed the suspect near Pine Lake Street and Harris Street. Deputies and troopers located the suspect in a field, where authorities say an exchange of gunfire occurred, leaving the suspect incapacitated. Officers approached the suspect after determining he was unresponsive and began providing first aid until ambulance personnel arrived. The suspect later died from his injuries. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said all officers involved in the shooting are being investigated by the Michigan State Police Sixth District Investigative Response Team. Authorities said the suspect’s family has been notified. No information about injuries to officers was released. Assisting agencies included the Michigan State Police, Edwardsburg Ontwa Township Police Department, Cassopolis Police Department, Pokagon Band Tribal Police, Edwardsburg Fire Department, SMACS Ambulance, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office or the Michigan State Police Niles Post.