Waterford police shoot, kill barricaded man who charged at officer

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - A barricaded gunman was shot and killed Thursday morning when he allegedly charged at a police officer outside his home. Police say he had barricaded himself inside, threatened officers, poured gasoline throughout several rooms and had turned the gas burners on.

Police Chief Scott Underwood says they got a 911 call around 3:05 a.m. Thursday to the 2000 block of Sunhill Drive, which is near Silver Lake Road and Dixie Highway. Police say a woman at the home left and called 911 after her husband assaulted her.

Officers got to the home and began talking to the man inside on the phone. During those conversations, he threatened to kill officers, burn down his house and kill himself. While setting up a perimeter, officers heard a gunshot inside.

Police were able to get back in contact with the man on the phone, confirming he hadn't harmed himself. At that point, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office SWAT team was requested came to the scene.

Police continued to talk with the man, who continued with the threats to kill police, himself, and burn down the house.

Shortly after the last phone call, the man came out of the house with a loaded shotgun. Chief Underwood says the man walked through the side tree line and charged an officer, at which time he was shot. He was taken to McLaren Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.

"I just woke up at like 5:45. I heard five gunshots, and then a short pause, and then another three. It was kind of shocking to wake up to and was very scary, as well," says neighbor Jessica Ryan.

Upon entering the house, officers found that gasoline had been poured throughout several rooms and the gas burners on the stove had been left open.

Police haven't yet identified the man, except to say he's a 28-year-old Waterford man.