The Michigan State Police trooper involved remains on administrative leave.
MUSKEGON, Mich. — The man shot by a Michigan State Police officer in Muskegon County earlier this month faced a judge Thursday.
William McCrary, 58, was arraigned on two assault with a dangerous weapon charges and two assault/batter/resist/oppose person performing duty charges in connection with an April 6 incident at a home in Muskegon Township.
MSP responded to a home on South Seridan Avenue to a report of an armed man threatening to harm himself. Troopers said they found McCrary holding a gun, presented the weapon, and a trooper shot him.
He was struck in the chest and the abdomen, Matt Roberts, Chief Trial Attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office, said. McCrary was hospitalized for his wounds.
This appeared to be a situation where the man was attempting “suicide by cop,” Roberts said.
“We’re thankful that Mr. McCrary was able to survive his injuries, because the officers, I’m sure, did not even want to be in the situation they were in, and I think it’s probably a little bit of relief to them that Mr. McCrary did not succumb to his injuries, so we’re thankful for that, but our estimation, was that the officers did act appropriately here had to for their own safety, for the safety of other individuals for the safety of Mr. Mccrary’s mother, who was in the house initially when this encounter took place,” Roberts said. “So there was definitely a public risk here that the officers had no choice but to act in the way they did.”
Roberts acknowledged the man’s mental health needs and said that the prosecutor’s office will likely be supportive of a competency exam or another placement for McCrary instead of jail.
“There are resources available through the court, and I know a lot of people would say, well, it’s better if you just leave it and not have the courts involved, but people aren’t getting the treatment that they need, whether it’s because they can’t afford to, or because they’re choosing not to. So we have to get the courts involved at some point,” Roberts said. “Our position is we do have resources available, and not every case means that we’re just looking to send a person to prison for as long as possible. It’s getting them the treatment they need. And clearly, Mr. McCrary is a person that needs mental health treatment.”
The judge set a $75,000 cash surety bond, prohibited McCreary from possessing firearms, and set a probable cause conference on May 6 and a preliminary exam on May 13.
The Michigan State Police said the trooper remains on administrative leave.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, know there is help available to you. The Michigan Crisis Access Line offers 24/7 help and answers calls to 988. You can also text 988 for help.