East Lansing officials speak about fatal officer-involved shooting

Mayor Erik Altmann shared a statement during the city’s April 21 meeting about an April 15 fatal shooting by East Lansing Police Department officers.

“I will begin tonight. Our community has experienced a tragedy. On April 15, what started as a 911 call about a theft evolved into a stabbing and an officer-involved shooting with multiple lives forever changed

Our sympathies extend to all involved; we wish for a speedy and full recovery of the victim of the stabbing. We mourn the loss of life; our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Kirby during this difficult time. We recognize the toll that public safety responsibilities take on our public safety officers as they make life and death decisions involving dangerous situations. We also acknowledge the emotional impact on our community, people who work in the area and live nearby and who may think twice about doing the simplest of errands we typically take for granted.

We acknowledge that people may have new safety concerns. Incidents like this may change how people feel about living and working in or visiting East Lansing, how it feels to go out to eat, to stop at the grocery store or to get gas.

But no single incident can define our community. We are committed ot listening to people’s concerns and ensuring that residents and visitors alike feel secure in their daily lives.

Our officers work hard to protect us, our police officers put their lives on the line. Each day, when people call for help, they’re often required to make rapid decisions while under extreme pressure, with the lives of our citizens and the officers themselves on the line.

We recognize the tragedy of a lost life and a need for an independent review of the incident.”

 

• Michigan State Police are investigating the entire situation, it will submit findings to prosecutors or the attorney general 
• East Lansing plans to provide as much information as it can, based on the advice of the police, the city’s independent oversight body and city attorneys
• The city plans to share the names of the officer(s) involved in the shooting
• “Multiple lives forever changed … we can remain unified as we heal by supporting each other and continuing to communicate.”

 

East Lansing council member Kerry Ebersole Singh, Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Grigsby, council member Mark Meadows and council member Steven Whelan echoed Altmann’s comments.

Meadows said officers in East Lansing have access to anti-bias and de-escalation training and he wanted to make sure officers are getting that training.

“We have a diversity that we should honor,” he said, “and no member of our community should feel they’re not treated the same as any other member of our community.”

Ebersole Singh mourned the loss of life and the hurt for the community.

Grigsby pointed to the city’s open commission and board seats as a way for grieving or frustrated people to take active steps.

Whelan talked about how the shooting happened at a shift change and noted “the pressure and intensity of having to respond to a call like this” for officers, as he encouraged any bystanders or witnesses to seek out appropriate mental health care.