Overview
- Police and firefighters responded to a reported explosion and fire on the 20000 block of St. Francis Street, which occurred Sunday around 7 p.m., and found the house empty after extinguishing the blaze.
- Officers later located the 61-year-old homeowner armed in a neighbor’s backyard and say they attempted to negotiate with him before he raised a handgun and an officer fired, striking him.
- The man was pronounced dead at the scene and no officers were injured, according to the Livonia Police Department.
- The Michigan State Police are handling the officer-involved shooting investigation while Livonia police are separately probing the fire; claims that gas lines were cut and the blaze was deliberate remain unconfirmed and under review.
- Neighbors described a chaotic evening and noted the man had recently been hospitalized, and investigators say they will examine his medical history and scene evidence to determine motive and cause.