Details of college student's shooting start to come to light

OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - After Derek Copp was shot by an Ottawa County deputy, angry students raised their voices and demanded answers. Now some of those answers are starting to come to light.

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Fink says the Ottawa County deputy acted recklessly when he shot Copp in March. On Monday, Fink authorized a misdemeanor charge against Deputy Ryan Huizenga, if he's convicted, Huizenga could face jail time, probation or fines.

Now, we're learning more about the evidence that led to that charge. Newschannel 3 looked over court documents, including a transcript from a probable cause hearing held on Monday.

In the report, Det. Lt. Schram says that as Derek Copp pulled back the curtain from a sliding door to open the door, he shielded his eyes from the flashlight directed at him by another officer.

Det. Schram says that Huizenga "was reaching for the door with his weak hand and shot with his strong arm a departmental issued .40 caliber Glock."

Det. Schram goes on to say that "Derek Copp posed no threat to the officers," and that "his finger should have been on the outside of the trigger guard, not on the trigger unless he was intending to shoot."

From the testimony, the court determined there was probable cause to authorize the warrant on Huizenga.

The State Police investigator says Huizenga has been cooperative, and plans to turn himself in within a week or so. The investigator says Huizenga is currently out of town on a pre-planned vacation. His bond is sent at $10,000 personal recognizance.