Great Lakes Wire

Yesterday, a tragic incident in Kentwood, Michigan, involving law enforcement officers resulted in the loss of a life. The Director of the Michigan State Police addressed the incident, acknowledging the impact it has had on the community and emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.

"As an African American male and a father, it’s not lost on me that this is the death of another young African American male following an interaction with police," expressed the Director of the Michigan State Police. He further added, "I want to assure the community that we see you, hear you and will thoroughly and expeditiously investigate the incident."

The Director highlighted the importance of objectivity in the investigation process, stating, "Our role is to be finders of fact and to compile those facts in an objective manner." He also urged patience from the public, saying, "There is much investigative work yet to be done and I ask that we let the investigation proceed before drawing any conclusions."

According to the official statement, a joint operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies was underway to apprehend a wanted individual, Samuel Sterling. The Director disclosed, "Our initial investigation shows that the MSP Sixth District Fugitive Team along with members of the Kentwood, Wyoming and Grand Rapids police departments, Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and U.S. Marshals Service, were working a fugitive arrest operation in Kentwood yesterday in an attempt to locate and arrest Samuel Sterling, who was wanted on multiple warrants."

The sequence of events leading to the tragic outcome was outlined, with the Director noting, "Several officers pursued him on foot, while one MSP officer in an unmarked vehicle drove parallel to him." Regrettably, the encounter culminated in a fatal incident at a Burger King parking lot, where Samuel Sterling was struck by the MSP officer's vehicle.

In response to the incident, the Director confirmed, "The MSP member driving the vehicle has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation."