BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Battle Creek Police are investigating a shooting at Claude Evans Park Wednesday evening, and they say an involved officer is on paid administrative leave.
Body camera video from the officer shows that at about 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, officers from the city’s Gang Suppression Unit were on routine patrol in the area of Claude Evans Park, off North Washington Avenue.
As they pulled up, officers saw a large crowd, and multiple people running away from the area of the basketball courts. Several people directed officers to the courts, where they thought a fight was happening.
As officers responded to the fight, someone ran past the officers, saying people had guns. Officers heard several shots fired, and saw a man pointing a handgun at other individuals in the park. He fired several rounds at those people.
To try and stop the suspect, one officer fired their duty weapon at him. The suspect was able to get in a black Buick SUV and leave the area.
Police do not know of anyone in the park who was injured from this situation. The involved officer also was not injured, and their placement on leave is routine protocol.
Battle Creek Police say they know the suspect and believe he was targeting specific individuals. They found several other discarded guns in the area.
