2 Michigan State Police Troopers Shot While Serving Warrant: Cops

BRANCH COUNTY, MI — Two Michigan State Police troopers were shot and injured while executing a search warrant Wednesday and the suspected shooter had died, police said.

The shooting happened around 11:15 a.m. in Union Township, located in rural Branch County.

In a statement, police said that when the two officers announced their presence before entering the home, a suspect leveled a long gun at the officers. The officers were attempting to take cover when they were hit, police said.

Police say a detective sergeant was shot in the chest and a trooper received a grazing wound to the hand. The trooper, identified as Daniel Thayer, was also hit in the chest but that round was stopped by his ballistic vest, police said.

The detective sergeant, identified as Aaron Steensma, is in serious but stable condition.

Police say the suspect is deceased but did not say anything regarding the circumstances of his death.

"A member of the @MichStatePolice was shot & seriously injured in the line of duty this morning," Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder tweeted. "Please keep him, his family and his colleagues in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you to all the men and women in law enforcement who are working hard to protect all of us every day."

Patch will update this breaking news story.

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