“He’s throwing these Molotov cocktails at officers. He’s threatening to kill his family. He’s threatening to stab us.”
Interim Chief Joe Trigg held a media briefing and released video of an incident that began when the mother of 46-year-old Eddie Deans Jr. called 911, reporting he was armed with knives and threatening violence.
As police arrived, dashcam footage shows Deans running out of the home, throwing a Molotov cocktail at officers and spraying their cruiser with lighter fluid.
Police say he attempted a carjacking at knifepoint and then tried to break into a nearby home.
“We’re trying to contain him and get him in custody as quickly as possible, so we don’t have a situation where he bursts into a home and takes a family hostage.”
Officers fired “less lethal” plastic projectiles, but Deans did not stop.
“Once you take flight into the neighborhood armed with knives, it changes the scenario a little bit and puts the public at risk.”
Police released a K9. Deans stabbed the dog multiple times before charging officers with a knife.
One officer shot Deans several times and he died on scene.
That officer is on administrative leave while the Michigan State Police investigate.
K9 Digo is recovering from his injuries and is expected to return to duty.
WARNING: the video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
The video shown during the briefing can be accessed through this link .
The chief's presentation was also livestreamed on the City of Grand Rapids’ YouTube channel and remains available there.
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