The deputy, who has not been identified, was hospitalized in stable condition.,p. The barricaded gunman situation brought dozens of officers out to the Oakbrook residential neighborhood in Superior Township, about two miles north of Ypsilanti.Deputies were first called just after 2 p.m. when a neighbor reported that a dispute had erupted in a gunshot. Deputies then drew fire as they approached the scene, said Derrick Jackson, Director of Community Engagement for the department.
"Something happened and one of the neighbors pulled out a weapon and started firing," said Jackson. "That's when we got a call from the neighbor."
The incident happened at a condo in the 8300 block of Lakeview Court near Berkshire. Residents in the Washtenaw County community were asked to remain indoors, with that restriction applying to those in the area bordered by North Prospect Rd, Geddes Rd, East Clark Rd, and North Harris.
The suspect remained in the home and started shooting at deputies when they arrived and started approaching the house. That is when the officer was struck, Jackson said. He was taken to an area hospital by another deputy.
At this time, he said, they are attempting to make contact with the suspect. It was not known if anyone else was in the house.
A witness who was mowing the lawn with a lawn service at the time of the incident said the male resident of the condo was staring at them and then started yelling and brought out a gun to threaten them. Moments later, the witness said, deputies had arrived and the officer was shot while walking across the street toward them. He was hit two times by the shots, which came from the bedroom window of the condo.
A SWAT team was on the scene Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. alongside state police, Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies, Ann Arbor police and undercover vehicles. Three ambulances were also on scene and a police helicopter flew above. Julie Jongeward, 33, lives down the street from the incident, and she said officers revealed to residents that a sheriff’s deputy was shot.
“They told me someone shot the sheriff deputy and we’re thinking the gunman either took off because they won’t let anyone move or he’s still there,” she said watching the scene at Berkshire and Sheffield Drive.
“They said this area would be blocked of until the rest of the night.”
Jongeward has lived in the complex, a mixture of residential homes and condos, for seven years. She said it’s typically calm.
“I usually go walking around this time, lots of bike riders and a quiet neighborhood,” she said. “Especially, in the newer subdivision. I don’t hear of anything. This is not typical.”
Jeniffer Roquemore, who lives in a condo on Lakeview Court near the gunman, could not get home Wednesday, saying a fireman wouldn’t let anyone in.
“I’ve lived here for 30 years and nothing like this has ever happened,” she said. “It’s a beautiful place. We live across a large field with deer and it’s very calm. I have no idea what could have happened.”