Off Duty Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Responds To Emergency

The evening of Tuesday, October 6th an off duty Kalamazoo Public Safety officer heard gunshots near the intersection of E. Michigan and King Highway.

As the news release from Kalamazoo Public Safety stated, the off duty officer then observed two vehicles fleeing the area at a high speed.  Around the same time the gunshots were being called in to the dispatch in the area. Witnesses identified the same two vehicles as being involved.

The off duty officer began following one of the vehicles while relaying their location to dispatch.  On call patrol units intercepted the suspect vehicle at the intersection of Amsterdam and N. Westnedge.  When the Public Safety Office (PSO) tried to stop the suspect he fled by backing up and striking the off call officer's vehicle.

The suspect continued to flee and due to his reckless driving the suspect was unable to avoid a collision of a second PSO in a marked patrol vehicle.  He struck that vehicle in the rear causing significant damage to both vehicles.  No injuries were reported.

The suspect was then taken into custody without further incident.   The 26 year old Kalamazoo resident was arrested for fleeing and eluding, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm and is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County jail pending arraignment.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.