A Michigan State Police detective has been charged with murder after fatally striking a fleeing suspect with an unmarked SUV last month near Grand Rapids, state prosecutors announced.
Detective Sgt. Brian Keely, 50, attempted to arrest 25-year-old Samuel Sterling on April 17. Sterling fled, leading to a pursuit by vehicle and on foot, according to the Michigan Department of the Attorney General.
The Incident
As Sterling ran through a fast food restaurant parking lot in the suburb of Kentwood, Keely, driving an unmarked SUV, turned and struck Sterling. Body-worn police camera footage shows Sterling falling to the ground, yelling and groaning about pain in his back. He was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Keely has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, which carries a life sentence, as well as an alternative charge of involuntary manslaughter. Alternative charges are brought as a backup in case prosecutors cannot prove the most serious offense.
“Detective Sergeant Keely’s actions that day were legally, grossly negligent and created a very high risk of death or great bodily harm, which could have otherwise been prevented,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
Following the incident, Keely was suspended from his position, and his current employment status is under review.
Community and Legal Reactions
The case has sparked significant community and legal reactions, especially in the context of the ongoing national push for greater scrutiny of police use of force, particularly against people of color. Sterling’s family attorney, Ven Johnson, praised Attorney General Nessel for the charges, stating that Keely broke the law when he ran over Sterling.
Keely’s attorney, Marc Curtis, criticized the charges, suggesting they were influenced by political pressure and not the facts of the incident. Curtis argued that Sterling’s death was a tragic accident that could have been avoided if Sterling had complied with the officers’ commands.
Video Evidence
State police released an edited compilation of body-worn and dashboard camera footage showing the incident. The footage depicts an officer chasing Sterling on foot into a Burger King parking lot before a large grey SUV veers into the lot, hitting Sterling and pinning him against a wall. After the SUV reverses, officers converge on Sterling, who repeatedly screams in pain.
Legal Standards and Analysis
The legal case hinges on whether Keely’s actions were reasonable under the circumstances. Law enforcement officers are permitted to use deadly force only if a suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious injury. The “totality of circumstances” will be a crucial factor in determining the reasonableness of Keely’s actions.
John Miller, CNN’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, explained that deadly force might be justified in cases involving imminent threats, such as an armed active shooter, but not in cases involving non-violent offenses like burglary or shoplifting.
Background of the Fugitive Operation
At the time of the incident, law enforcement officers from multiple departments, including the US Marshals Service, were conducting a fugitive arrest operation to apprehend Sterling, who was wanted on multiple warrants. Authorities have not disclosed the specific charges Sterling was facing.
Keely’s attorney emphasized that Sterling’s death was preventable, suggesting that compliance with law enforcement could have avoided the tragic outcome.