A man who told police he is from the Canton, Ohio, area was shot by four Taylor police officers Monday after authorities said he pointed a handgun at officers during a traffic stop involving a stolen U-Haul linked to an armed robbery in Ohio.
According to reporting by WDIV, the shooting happened at about 11:40 a.m. Monday, July 6, in the parking lot of a Sheetz convenience store in the 20600 block of Eureka Road.
Taylor Police Chief John Blair said an officer received an alert from the department’s Flock Safety camera system and an in-car license plate reader indicating the U-Haul had been entered into national law enforcement databases in connection with an armed robbery that occurred June 30 in the Cleveland area.
Police said the vehicle information had been added to the Flock camera network on July 1. After confirming the truck matched the vehicle sought by Ohio investigators, the officer waited for additional units before initiating a traffic stop.
Blair said the driver slowly continued toward the parking lot exit as officers attempted to stop the vehicle. Authorities said the suspect ignored repeated commands to exit the truck and backed into a patrol vehicle while trying to flee.
According to police, the driver then opened the door of the U-Haul and pointed a handgun at officers. Four officers fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect.
Investigators recovered a handgun from the driver’s side floorboard of the truck.
Police said they have not determined whether the suspect fired the weapon. Because the incident involved Taylor police officers, the investigation has been turned over to the Michigan State Police, which investigates officer-involved shootings involving local agencies.
The suspect, identified only as a 38-year-old man who told officers he is from the Canton area, was struck several times and transported to a local hospital. Blair said the man’s injuries initially appeared to be survivable.
A female passenger, who identified herself as being from Mississippi, was taken into custody and is cooperating with investigators. Authorities are working to confirm the identities of both occupants and determine their relationship.
Investigators said the U-Haul had been reported stolen and was allegedly used during an armed robbery at a Dollar Tree store in the Cleveland area, where a suspect reportedly displayed a firearm while demanding money.
Blair credited the department’s automated license plate reader system and Flock Safety cameras with helping officers quickly identify the vehicle and coordinate the traffic stop.
The shooting scene remained closed for several hours as investigators documented the area. Dozens of evidence markers were placed throughout the parking lot, and bullet damage was visible to the windshield of the U-Haul.
Witnesses told WDIV they heard numerous gunshots before seeing emergency responders flood the area. One man who arrived with his children shortly after the shooting said the incident was unsettling and served as a reminder that violent situations can unfold without warning.
The four Taylor police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard department policy following an officer-involved shooting.
Michigan State Police are leading the investigation into the shooting, while Cleveland-area authorities continue investigating the armed robbery connected to the U-Haul.
