A Michigan man is facing federal charges after he allegedly tried to forcibly take a gun away from a Lansing Police officer during an arrest last month. Andrial Ched Ortiz, 29, was indicted for being a felon in possession of firearms, as reported by CBS Detroit. The April 10 incident not only involved an attempt to snatch police weapons but also resulted in an officer being shot and injured.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten expressed his concern over the case, stating, “Today’s charge reflects our continued efforts to keep the streets safe from the danger presented by those who cannot lawfully possess firearms,” This development comes in the wake of an ongoing struggle to address gun violence in the U.S., which has seen a troubling upward trend in recent years. The shootout and attempted gun theft are reported to have occurred as officers attempted to arrest Ortiz, who was in illegal possession of two firearms due to a previous felony conviction. “I’m thankful that the officers on scene were able to minimize the damage caused and that everyone is safe.” declared Totten, as released by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Ortiz allegedly managed to fire a Glock 43X during the confrontation, which led to an officer's injury. His confrontation with law enforcement adds to the complex narrative of firearm-related incidents in America, where the CDC reports that the firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While figures have slightly decreased since then, they are still at alarming levels. Ortiz's next court hearing is scheduled for May 20.
The indictment and Ortiz's arrest are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative aimed to strategically reduce violent crime. This concerted effort involves federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies working alongside the community, pairing enforcement with prevention. His arrest by the Lansing Police Department was supported by the Michigan State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, reflecting a high-priority response to gun violence. "Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States," the U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized, urging for public adherence to safe firearm storage guidelines and legal compliance. The charges in the indictment remain accusations until proven otherwise, and Ortiz is presumed innocent until, and unless, found guilty in a court of law.
