Mich. Cop Fatally Struck by Fleeing Bank Robbers

A Walker (Mich.) Police officer who deployed stop sticks to halt fleeing bank robbery suspects was struck and killed near Interstate 96 in western Michigan on Thursday. The suspects were killed in an ensuing gun battle with police.

Officer Trevor Slot was fatally struck near the 8th Street off-ramp of I-96, following the robbery of the ChoiceOne bank in Ravenna. Muskegon Central Police Dispatch received a call at about 11 a.m. that the robbers were fleeing in a dark blue Oldsmobile Bravada sport utility vehicle.

FBI agents in the area located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit east on the I-96 near Coopersville. State troopers and sheriff's deputies from and Ottawa counties joined the pursuit, which reached speeds of 120 mph. As they weaved in and out of traffic, the suspects fired at pursuing officers.

While attempting to avoid stop sticks placed by Officer Slot near the 8th Street exit, the suspects crashed their vehicle. They exited the vehicle and began firing at pursuing officers, who returned fire and killed the suspects, State Police Inspector Dave Roster said in a media briefing.

Sources: Muskegon News , Grand Rapids Press