BARRY COUNTY (WKZO) -- Friends and neighbors say Anthony Thompson was one of the good guys, generous of spirit and friendly. But lately he had been sick, possibly suicidal, and had stopped taking his medications.
He was reportedly drinking Wednesday before he grabbed his shotgun and began threatening to shoot everyone at the Guernsey Lake Mobile Home Park in Barry County.
Park Manager Anthony Antolovich said he had never seen him act that way, and feared for his life.
Michigan State Police Spokesman Chuck Christianson said Troopers and Delton Township officers responded and tried to talk him down.
"He was outside waving a shotgun and threatening other residents," Christianson said. "When troopers showed up, he went in and out of the house several times and ultimately came out into the roadway, which is when the confrontation took place," he said.
Witnesses told police he pointed the shotgun at the officers half a dozen times before one of the troopers, a 16-year veteran, fired out of self-defense.
Thompson was killed.
The trooper has been put on administrative leave while a routine shooting review is conducted. If they decide that lethal force was justified, he will be reinstated.
Thompson was 40-years-old.
