The Jackson County sheriff's deputy who was shot overnight Wednesday is in serious condition but he is expected to live.
People who live in the area say that it's usually quiet and that everyone knows each other and helps each other out. They said this happening is a complete shock.
"We just looked out and saw lights and couldn't figure out what it was, we thought it was a fire." neighbor James Lingenfelter said.
"The neighborhood is wonderful. You hate to see something like that happen, it's not good for anybody. We really are sad about it." Glenn and Danya Williamson, who live across the street said.
Westlane sits just west of Ella Sharp Park Golf Course in Summit Township. A place where many go to live a quiet life.
"We checked it out and the closest any type of crime was like a petty larceny over a half mile away. The community is a real quiet community--good community. This is a big surprise to us," Lingenfelter said.
But that wasn't the case when deputies arrived last night and had a 34-year-old man from Flint open fire at them.
"While searching the residence for this person they were fired upon, and they returned fire. And ultimately the suspect in this incident died of his injuries," Jackson County Sheriff Steve Rand said.
Sheriff Rand says the shooter barricaded himself in another home. They found him dead when they went inside. Neighbors say watching this all unfold just steps away from their property is not something they are used to but they know it was an isolated incident.
"It's something that I guess this day in age you have to kind of accept but you really don't want it to happen. You feel sorry for the person, the kids, everyone that's involved. Especially the police officer that got hurt. It's a shame this has to happen."
Sheriff Rand is grateful it wasn't worse.
"Its a reflection of a lot of the gun violence we're seeing in our culture right now. It's also an indication of how dangerous the job of a police officer is. I'm thankful the injuries weren't worse, or fatal," he said.
At least three deputies were involved in the shooting. Sheriff Rand said they're on leave during the investigation, which is standard protocol.
The injured deputy was shot several times. The sheriff says he has multiple surgeries ahead of him, and a long road to recovery.
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