An arrest warrant has been issued for an Ottawa County sheriff’s deputy who shot an unarmed Grand Valley State University student in the chest while approaching his apartment to execute a search warrant.

Deputy Ryan Huizenga was charged with a misdemeanor count of “careless discharge of a weapon causing injury or death” after an investigation by the state police determined that his finger was on the trigger — rather than the safety guard — of his department issued .40 caliber hand gun as he approached the home of 20 year-old Derek Copp as part of a drug raid last month.

 

The incident has spurred demonstrations in Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids Press has extensive coverage of the case, as does Media Mouse, and
Michigan Liberal reminds that the shooting is not the only recent local case of extreme violence in marijuana-related law enforcement.