As reported earlier on this website, a Columbia Township Police officer used fatal force in a confrontation in the area of Clark Lake Road yesterday (Sunday 6/26/16). The Sheriff’s Department has taken over the investigation. The following is taken directly from their report:
“On Sunday, June 26 just prior to 11 a.m. Officers from Columbia Township Police along with Napoleon Township Police were dispatched to the 8000 block of Clark Lake Road in Columbia Township for the report of a domestic assault in progress. Officers arrived to find several people at the residence.
“During their investigation, Officers were confronted by a man armed with a baseball bat outside the residence. Witnesses reported the officers gave several loud warnings to drop the weapon. The individual refused to drop the baseball bat and instead continued to advance and threaten officers at which point they were left with no choice but to use force to stop the suspect. The armed suspect, shot by police, was identified as Terry Lynn Maurer, 51 years old from Lenawee County.
“The Jackson County Office of the Sheriff was called to assist in investigating the incident. Detectives along with investigators from the Michigan State Police and City of Jackson Police are conducting the investigation. Michigan State Police Lansing Forensic Laboratory responded to assist in processing scene.
“The Columbia Township Police officer involved in the shooting was identified as Officer Joe Lalli, 33. Lalli has nine years of experience as a police officer and has been with Columbia Township for two years.
“We expect this case to take several days to conduct a thorough investigation and gather the facts pertinent to the incident. Following this investigation a report will be forwarded to Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka for review.
