Prisoner Fatally Shot at Mt. Clemens Hospital

MT. CLEMENS, Mich. (myFOXDetroit.com) - A 32-year-old fugitive from Chesterfield wanted for probation violation and other warrants was picked up by Roseville Police. He was taken to Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

Roseville officers transferred custody of the prisoner to a Macomb County Sheriff's deputy and somehow the prisoner got free and ran into the emergency room.

"When our deputy got here, he was guarding the prisoner. The prisoner somehow was able to escape the officer's custody, an issue that we're going to be looking at. When he decided to escape, he ran through the emergency room. He grabbed something from one of the carts that was later determined to be an actual... needle," said Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackle.

Armed with that needle, the prisoner continued to run inside the hospital until he came face-to-face with the deputy.

Sheriff Hackle says he's already reviewed video tape and that the prisoner lunged at the deputy, threatening him with the needle.

"Within arms length away, that's when the officer discharged his firearm. The medical personnel here at the hospital immediately gave some type of medical response to that, tried to revive the individual and, unfortunately, were unable to do so," Hackle said.

One shot and the prisoner died. The deputy will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in a shooting, pending a completed investigation.

"From seeing the video, you could tell there were numerous people in and around that area. They were very concerned. Witness statements... had indicated that they were very supportive of what the officer had done. I do have concerns about the custodial issue at the beginning of this. However, for the most part, the shooting itself, after watching it on tape you can see the officer clearly trying to give direction. You can see the subject having something in his hand, producing it and trying to lunge at the officer when the actual shooting took place," said Hackle.

The Clinton Township Police Department has a shooting reconstruction team. They'll begin an investigation, as will the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.

The sheriff tells us this deputy has an impeccable record and is a veteran officer.