The man who police say took his own life following a standoff in the Brighton Meijer parking lot did not have a gun.
However, further details on the man, who authorities say was wanted on felony warrants have yet to be officially released, including his name and the cause of his death.
Brighton Police Chief Brent Pirochta says an update will be provided once the autopsy of the man is completed, but that could take a couple of weeks.
However, Chief Pirochta told a meeting of the Brighton Rotary on Tuesday that the suspect died from what was believed to be an overdose.
The incident began Sunday at approximately 2:30 p.m. when Brighton officers investigating a U-Haul truck and a travel trailer parked on the north side of the Brighton Meijer store discovered that the registered owner of the trailer, an adult male, had several warrants for his arrest including one involving a weapon. In addition, the U-Haul truck was also reported stolen out of another jurisdiction and the trailer’s owner was named as the suspect.
After repeated attempts to make contact, a woman was convinced to exit the trailer, although the male suspect remained inside and further attempts to talk to him were unsuccessful.
“Due to the nature of the adult male’s warrants and again out of an abundance of safety, the Livingston Regional SWAT and Negotiator teams responded to the scene,” stated a press release. “Once on scene, several more attempts were made to establish communications with the adult male. No communication was able to be established.”
At approximately 7:20 p.m., a small team of SWAT operators approached the trailer and deployed what was described as a Noise, Flash, Distraction, Device (NFDD). They then broke out a window of the trailer, and used a pole to put camera inside and saw the suspect unresponsive on a bed.
Entry into the trailer was then made and the suspect was declared deceased due to suicide.
Despite rumors on social media, police say no children were involved, nor were there were any injuries to officers or citizens. Police also made a point to say that at no time were shots fired by officers or at officers.
