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Officer charged with firing gun into car in which woman hurt

Posted at 5:04 PM, Nov 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-17 18:28:13-05

A southwestern Michigan police officer has been charged with recklessly firing her gun during a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle that left one person with minor injuries.

Mattawan police Officer Chelsey Omilian was arraigned Friday on the charge punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $500 fine. She was released and couldn't be reached for comment.

The charges stem from a Nov. 3 incident in which nearby schools were locked down. Michigan State Police Lt. Chuck Christensen said the bullet or shrapnel from the vehicle struck a woman in the car, wounding her knee.

The driver, Gary Kingsbury, has been charged with unlawfully using a motor vehicle and resisting and obstructing police. He remains jailed.

Mattawan Chief Scott Herbert says in a release Omilian fired because she thought Kingsbury was trying to run her over. She's no longer working for the department.