33-year-old shot by police

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A man was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids Police Officer on Thursday.

It all started when an officer stopped a moped, but it quickly escalated when the driver of that moped took off running.

“I was on the porch with my dogs because it was a beautiful day and I saw a police officer coming down the road and all of a sudden I heard a beep, his flashers and sirens went,” said Kim Smith.

Smith says she saw the incident that led to the fatal shooting from her porch.

“That part was amazing and then pretty soon I heard the gunfire and I knew it wasn't good,” said Smith.

Smith says she watched as the officer and man struggled after the moped was pulled over.

“The gentleman put his hands behind his head and as soon as he put his hands behind his head he darted and the officer was chasing him with a gun and I heard the gunshots,” said Smith.

Grand Rapids Police said the officer had pulled over the moped and asked the driver to produce identification. When he couldn't, the suspect took off between two houses on Center Street.

“The officer ordered him to stop, drop the weapon,” said Chief Kevin Belk, GRPD. “The suspect continued to flee behind the house, tried to climb over a wooden stockade fence, wasn't able to get over the fence and then turned towards the officer, raised the handgun. The officer continued to holler at him to drop the weapon, the suspect did not so the officer fired multiple times, striking the suspect.”

The suspect was taken from the scene to Butterworth Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.

GRPD says the suspect was 33 years old, and wanted for skipping out on parole, as well as armed robbery and drug violations.

The officer who shot him was a 15 year veteran who appears to have done everything right.

“The officer was not injured,” said Chief Belk. “Obviously he was extremely upset. He's been taken down to the police department, other officers are with him.”

A female was also on the moped when it was pulled over, and police say she is cooperating.

A loaded 9mm was located and both internal affairs and major case will investigate the incident. Per policy, the officer will be placed on administrative leave.