KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting ruled on Friday, May 6, that police officers acted in self-defense when they fatally shot a man who had shot three people at the Kalamazoo Metro Station last year.
On Saturday, November 27, 2021, 54-year-old Anthony Oliver shot and injured three people at the Transportation Center at around 9:10 a.m.
According to a court summary, Oliver was armed with a .357 Magnum Caliber Dan Wesson Model 15 six-hot revolver when he struck one of his victims in the courtyard area and the other two, while they were on a bus.
Without provocation, Oliver approached his first victim with his gun drawn, and began firing. The second victim who was nearby was struck in the foot by one of the shots fired. Oliver continued to shoot at the victim while he tried to escape while eventually trying to seek cover in one of the buses. The driver of the bus was able to close the door preventing Oliver from boarding, but the victim was struck twice by bullets that were fired.
The third victim was on a different bus when Oliver continued shooting. That bus left the Transportation Center to escape the danger caused by Oliver, but was struck by one of the bullets by Oliver. That bullet went through the bus window striking the third victim in the arm.
Oliver then began to chase a Transportation Center security person who had responded to the shots fired. Oliver chased him from the courtyard into the passenger waiting area building when he emptied multiple shell casings from the revolver in order to reload it. He was able to discharge five more shots before police arrived.
On scene, the two officers each shot at Oliver multiple times as he raised his gun from his side in order to begin shooting again. He was shot multiple times and fell to the ground. Officers then began performing life-saving measures on Oliver who was transported to the hospital where he later died.
The incident was recorded by multiple video cameras around the Transportation center as well as body cameras that were worn by responding officers.
The Michigan State Police conducted an immediate investigation at the request of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley to ensure it was done in a through, fair, and impartial manner.
In a letter dated Monday, May 2, Prosecutor Jeff Getting said in conclusion, “For these reasons, it is the decision of the Kalamazoo County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney that Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Sergeant Amil Alwan, Public Safety Officer Trevor Aday, and Public Safety Officer Trevor Patterson were justified in the use of deadly force to stop the immediate extreme threat posed by Anthony Oliver. As a result, no charges will be filed by this office.”
