An FBI special agent was arrested in Michigan on Tuesday after allegedly shooting at a Grand Rapids police sergeant responding to reports of a man brandishing a firearm inside a Planet Fitness gym. Both the FBI and the Grand Rapids Police Department have refused to disclose the special agent’s identity or his motive for opening fire at a fellow law enforcement officer.
At 1:18 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Grand Rapids police officers responded to calls reporting a man inside a Planet Fitness gym with a firearm. At least seven people were inside the gym when a police sergeant attempted to contact the 35-year-old male brandishing a handgun.
According to the Grand Rapids Police Department, the armed man had been threatening citizens at the fitness center before he fired three shots at the police sergeant. Moments later, the suspected was arrested at gunpoint in a parking lot just north of the Center Point Mall.
None of the police officers reportedly discharged their weapons, and no one was injured when the suspect allegedly opened fire. A handgun was recovered following the suspect’s arrest.
A few hours after the shooting, Planet Fitness released the following statement: “We can confirm the isolated incident that took place early this morning at the Planet Fitness location in Grand Rapids. We can also confirm that no shots were fired inside the club, and that no one was injured. The suspect is currently in custody and we are grateful for the local authorities’ swift action and response. As this is an ongoing investigation, any further inquiries should be directed to the Grand Rapids Police Department.”
Shortly after the arrest, Ray Johnson, the FBI’s supervisory special agent for the Detroit field office, confirmed that the suspect is an FBI special agent but would not reveal the suspect’s name or the location of his FBI field office. According to KTNV, the unidentified 35-year-old suspect is an FBI special agent from Las Vegas.
“The FBI takes allegations of misconduct very seriously,” Johnson wrote in a recent statement. “We are aware of the matter involving the recent arrest of an FBI Special Agent and are fully cooperating with the Grand Rapids Police Department. This matter has been referred to the FBI’s Internal Investigations Section in Washington, D.C., as well as the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further.”
On Twitter, the Grand Rapids Police Department announced that the department’s Major Case Team is investigating the incident while the FBI special agent remains in custody. The police are also requesting any further information regarding the needless shooting between an FBI agent and a police sergeant.
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