12/4/13 - A Highland Township man is dead following an armed confrontation with police on Monday. The Oakland County Sheriffâs Office reports that family members of the 26-year-old victim visited the Highland Township Substation at about 11:15 Monday morning, saying he was having suicidal thoughts and seeking a court order for a mental health evaluation. Two hours later, the victimâs girlfriend requested a welfare check at the manâs home on Dean Road, but several attempts to contact the man proved unsuccessful. The Sheriffâs Office says information obtained indicated the man had a semi-automatic pistol and a shotgun, and that he may have wanted to commit âsuicide by cop.â While Deputies were waiting for a negotiator to arrive, the manâs girlfriend and roommate exited the home at the request of authorities. Police say the man then unexpectedly emerged armed with a handgun, at which time Deputies ordered him to show his hands and lay on the ground, but they say he instead raised his weapon, pointed it at the deputies and started moving. The Sheriffâs Office says a deputy then fired shots âto protect the other deputies on scene as the subject fired a single shotâ. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Sheriffâs Office says preliminary investigation shows the man may have committed suicide but an autopsy and ruling from the medical examiner was pending. (JM)
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