BATTLE CREEK, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – A man accused of firing an officer’s gun during a mental health crisis last week has been charged.
49-year-old Brian Lamont Armstrong is charged with three counts of resisting and obstructing police, assault with a dangerous weapon, and attempting to disarm a police officer. He also will be charged as a habitual offender.
Battle Creek Police say Officers Joshua Millikin and Hunter Barnett responded to the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Capital Avenue NE at 4:00 p.m. last Thursday afternoon after a man later identified as Armstrong was said to be dancing in traffic and intentionally trying to be hit by passing cars.
Millikin and Barnett determined he was having a mental health crisis and tried to de-escalate it by telling Armstrong they wanted to help him.
Police say as Armstrong continued to act irrationally, the officers decided to take him into protective custody and take him to the hospital for evaluation, as he would not go willingly.
Armstrong allegedly tried to take Millikin’s gun. He was able to pull the trigger, and the gun shot through its holster. It appears that the shot grazed Millikin’s leg, causing a minor injury.
Officers were able to arrest Armstrong who was not injured. The officer sought treatment at a local hospital.
Police placed Armstrong in Calhoun County Jail, and he will receive mental health care.
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