Great Lakes Wire

The Department of Attorney General has announced the conclusion of its review of the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Nicolas Micko on January 5th, 2023, in Lansing, without issuing charges against the involved officers and troopers, citing self-defense as the reason.

In response to multiple 9-1-1 calls describing Micko's erratic behavior with a rifle, law enforcement officers from the Lansing Police Department and Michigan State Police were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they encountered Micko running towards them with a pistol, ignoring verbal commands to stop and raising the gun towards the officers. Subsequently, three MSP Troopers and one LPD Officer opened fire, ultimately striking Micko 14 times.

The investigation determined that the officers and troopers acted within the scope of self-defense, as stated by the Department of Attorney General: "Under all the facts and circumstances known to troopers and officers on this date, they were justified in their use of deadly self-defense."

The City of Lansing and Lansing Police Department have released body-worn camera footage of the incident as part of a critical incident community briefing. The Department of Attorney General reaffirmed its commitment to lead or support investigations into officer-involved shootings at the request of county prosecutors or law enforcement agencies.

The decision not to press charges in this case underscores the legal principle that law enforcement officers have the same privilege of self-defense as any individual, with the use of deadly force deemed justified when faced with a perceived threat of death or serious harm.

In light of the findings, the self-defense nature of the actions taken by the MSP Troopers and LPD Officer has been established, bringing closure to the review of the January 2023 officer-involved shooting in Lansing.