GENESEE CO., Mich. – A tragic incident unfolded in Clio, Genesee County, where Sheriff Chris Swanson shared harrowing details of a deadly officer-involved shooting. Swanson shed light on the events that transpired on the evening of March 26, revealing the devastating outcome of a domestic violence situation that turned fatal.
The confrontation began when Clio police officers responded to a distress call regarding shots fired at a residence on N. Mills Road. Swanson disclosed that a heated argument between two domestic partners escalated when the suspect, 28-year-old Eric Adam Bennett, unleashed gunfire with a shotgun. The violence claimed the lives of two victims, 31-year-old Ron Tatro and 51-year-old Kasey Gipe, who tragically succumbed to the senseless act of aggression.
The scene was fraught with tension as residents took cover in their homes, frantically reporting the unfolding chaos to emergency dispatch. Amidst the chaos, officers found themselves faced with a dangerous assailant who had already exhibited a willingness to take lives with no regard for human safety. Swanson emphasized the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the officers’ duty to respond to an active shooter scenario with lethal force as necessary.
Despite repeated attempts to de-escalate the situation, Bennett defied orders, ultimately turning his weapon on law enforcement officers in a bid to evade justice. The officers, acting swiftly and decisively, neutralized the threat within moments of the exchange of gunfire, effectively ending the deadly spree that had unfolded in a matter of minutes. The community of Clio, though shaken by the traumatic events, was reassured as law enforcement swiftly contained the threat.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities placed the involved officers on administrative leave in adherence to standard protocol. Swanson reiterated the importance of providing support to law enforcement personnel facing such traumatic events, acknowledging the toll that the use of deadly force takes on those tasked with upholding public safety. As the investigation unfolds, the community grapples with the tragic reality of domestic violence manifesting in fatal consequences, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and support for those affected by such senseless acts of violence.