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News
News
IRON RIVER — The Michigan State Police investigation of a multi-agency officer-involved shooting in Iron River on June 24 is still ongoing.
Iron County Prosecuting Attorney Chad DeRouin released a statement on the matter on June 29, stating in part:
“What we know at this time is a deputy with the Iron County Sheriff’s Office and an officer with the Iron River Police Department were dispatched to a wellbeing check in the city of Iron River shortly after 4:10 p.m. While on the scenes the officers discharged their weapons, which resulted in the death of an individual in the home.
“Detectives with the Michigan State Police have been assigned to investigate the matter and were on scene shortly after the incident occurred. The investigation is still ongoing so I will not be releasing any further information at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
Lt. Mark Giannunzio, assistant post commander for the MSP Negaunee Post and 8th District public information officer, reiterated that all information would be routed through the county prosecutor’s office.
“The prosecutor over there is a little different than what I’m used to,” Giannunzio said. “He wants to handle most of the media releases.”
Giannunzio explained the prosecutor’s role in evaluating MSP’s investigation to determine if the shooting was justified or not justified and if charges are warranted.
He went on to state that, in this type of situation, the prosecuting attorney has three options: to take the case themself; defer it to a prosecutor in a different county (if the prosecuting attorney feels that their relationship with the involved agencies could lead to or give the impression of bias); or, in complex cases, request the state attorney general to take the case.
As no MSP officers were on scene or involved in the incident, the agency is playing a bit of a middle-man role, Giannunzio explained, between the police department and sheriff’s office, and the attorney’s office.
While Giannunzio noted that in his experience, the majority of prosecutors “don’t want anything to do with the media,” DeRouin has expressed a desire for direct involvement in media releases.
“Although MSP is the investigating agency, everything will be sent to my office for review,” DeRuin said of his decision in an email. “So, I made the decision to be the point of contact for any and all news outlets in regard to this matter.”
An autopsy of the deceased, a 45-year-old male, was reported to have been scheduled for June 25 in Grand Rapids. DeRuin said he was informed of its completion on June 26 but as of July 1 had not yet received a report.
“I have been in contact with detectives from MSP and was told I will likely have the initial reports ... July 2,” DeRuin said, adding that, “If I have enough information to make a press release I will do so after I have reviewed the information presented to me.”
The Reporter will continue covering this story as it develops and more information becomes available.