- Four law enforcement agencies — Jackson Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Lenawee County Sheriff's Office, and Michigan State Police — held a joint media conference Tuesday at Jackson City Hall to provide more details on a November 6 chase and shoot-out in Jackson.
- The shoot-out left suspect Jacob Austin Hikes dead and Jackson Police Sergeant Wesley Stanton hospitalized with injuries.
- Authorities say Hikes was armed with guns and explosives, and more were discovered at his home in Franklin Township in Lenawee County.
- Hikes' flight from law enforcement began after an altercation between him, his father, and his brother resulted in a gunshot wound to his brother.
- Hikes was located in Jackson using cell phone signals.
- WATCH THE VIDEO for details and video of the chase from law enforcement.
- BONUS VIDEO: WATCH THE FULL MEDIA CONFERENCE BELOW
"This incident could have been a whole lot worse." — Lenawee County Sheriff Troy Bevier
Authorities say suspect Jacob Austin Hikes was armed to the teeth.
"The suspect vehicle — a maroon Town and Country van — had six explosive devices located in it…also an AR-style rifle or firearm, and a semi-automatic pistol," said Michigan State Police Spokesperson Rene Gonzalez.
Dashboard camera footage released by Jackson Police shows what looks like an explosion during a police pursuit.
Police say Hikes came to Jackson from Lenawee County...they do not yet know why.
WATCH TUESDAY'S FULL MEDIA CONFERENCE:
"The suspect and the sole occupant threw multiple pipe bombs out of the window which exploded as officers continued to pursue the vehicle...the suspect fired multiple gunshots at pursuing vehicles," said Jackson Police Director Elmer Hitt.
Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette called the chase and shoot-out "seven minutes of terror" as law enforcement officers from multiple agencies attempted to stop Hikes.
Lenawee County Sheriff Troy Bevier said his deputies and Michigan State Police later searched Hikes' home, and said many more pipe bombs were found there: "33 functional pipe bombs, bomb-making material, literature on making bombs, over 20 guns in various stages — uppers and lowers — and hundreds of magazines of ammunition."
Following up on that, authorities said the suspect was not working with other people, and they had not uncovered any sort of plan for those pipe bombs and guns.
According to Bevier, the violence on November 6th began when the suspect's father confronted him about stealing money for drugs. Hikes beat his father and pulled a gun. Bevier says the suspect's brother tried to intervene, and the brother was shot in the arm.
Authorities say after Hikes fled, they tracked his cell phone — first to Summit Township, then to the City of Jackson, where the suspect opened fire at police attempting to locate and stop him.
Authorities say Jackson Police Sergeant Wesley Stanton was hit. He was hospitalized with injuries, but has been released from the hospital and is recovering. Suspect Hikes was shot, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
While there were some concerns about the possibility of unexploded pipe bombs following the chase, Michigan State Police say they have conducted a thorough sweep of the neighborhood and are confident there is no danger.
Police say no bystanders were injured. But some questions regarding the dangers of chasing a violent suspect through city streets were raised.
Jackson Police Director Elmer Hitt says in deciding how to pursue, police consider why someone needs to be stopped. According to Hitt, the pursuit was not at high speeds, and police kept a distance while, at the same time, trying to make sure they don't lose the suspect.
The suspect was known to Lenawee County law enforcement officials, says Sheriff Bevier. According to Bevier, Hikes had more than 19 contacts with the police and 11 bookings from 2012-2022.
The law enforcement officers involved remain on leave as the investigation continues.
CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THE CHASE AND SHOOT-OUT HERE AND HERE.
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