Michigan authorities have launched a manhunt for a suspect who reportedly hit a Lansing police officer with his car on Wednesday evening. The man, identified as 30-year-old Zachary Philip Duling, is said to have attacked the officer during an attempt to apprehend him for a probation violation warrant issued by Jackson County, The Detroit News reported.
According to the Lansing Police Department, officers ordered him to stop as Duling started reversing his white 2015 Chevy Cruze. Despite this, Duling allegedly accelerated towards an officer, who became "trapped between 2 vehicles." The officer, in response, fired his gun at Duling, who then fled the scene, as explained by Lansing Police Department's Facebook post. The officer involved in the chase has been taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.
The Lansing Police, Michigan State Police, and other local agencies are now searching for Duling, who was last seen driving the sedan with Michigan license plate number EBW 5891. Police have informed that Duling, described as being 5-foot-9 and weighing 200 pounds, might be in the Lansing, Jackson, or Ann Arbor areas. Public information officer with the Lansing Police Department, Jordan Gulkis, highlighted the urgency of the search stating, "Duling fled from Jackson County officers several days earlier," according to FOX 2 Detroit.
Meanwhile, security footage showed Duling escaping west in the vehicle, accompanied by an unknown passenger, even though the officer was pinned between two vehicles at the time of the shooting.
Authorities have emphasized the necessity of caution, advising the public to call 911 if they see Duling or the vehicle but not to approach. "There is no threat to the public," but the authorities request that Duling or the car should not be approached, as given in a statement by Lansing Police and mentioned by WLNS.
Per standard procedure, the officer who discharged his weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave. While it remains unclear if Duling or his passenger sustained any injuries when the officer shot at the vehicle, the investigation is ongoing and being carried out by the Michigan State Police.
