Grand Rapids man throws Molotov cocktail at police, stabs K-9 before being shot

Eddie Deans Jr., 46, attacked officers with a Molotov cocktail and knives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Police K-9 Digo was stabbed multiple times; Deans Jr. was shot and killed.

Grand Rapids man hurls Molotov cocktail at officers, stabs police dog before being shot dead

New body camera footage released by the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) captures the moment a man threw a lit Molotov cocktail at officers during a confrontation on Widdicomb Avenue NW and 12th Street NW last Saturday afternoon, arcwestmichigan.com reports.

Officers responded to the scene after Eddie Deans Jr., 46, threatened to kill himself and members of his family. Upon arrival, the situation escalated rapidly. Deans Jr. hurled a lit Molotov cocktail at the officers and sprayed lighter fluid on a police cruiser, according to documents obtained by News Channel 3.

An officer deployed a non-lethal weapon in an attempt to stop Deans Jr., but body camera video showed he continued to flee. He then tried to steal a vehicle from a nearby family while carrying three knives, police said. After that attempt failed, Deans Jr. fled into a backyard, where officers released their K-9, Digo. Video footage showed Deans Jr. stabbed the dog multiple times, including in the head.

Officers ordered Deans Jr. to surrender. Instead, he charged at them with a knife and was shot several times.

Grand Rapids Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg said his officers attempted multiple non-lethal methods before the confrontation turned deadly. "You're not human if it doesn't hit you in the heart," Trigg said. "But when things are escalating out of your control you have to have a response, you have to protect the community and when we put ourselves in front of danger, we have to protect ourselves."

Deans Jr.'s family confirmed to Grand Rapids police that he had struggled with mental health issues for many years, Trigg said. "We all know mental health is a serious issue, and there are a lot of people that don't get the resources they need," he added. "Our officers try to do what we can to help."

Court records show Deans Jr. was released on parole in 2020 after serving 24 years in prison for the murder of a Grand Rapids woman, a crime he committed at age 16. Since his release, he had been arrested for assault and for attempting to disarm a police officer. He also absconded from parole in May, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.

The officer who fired the shots has been placed on paid administrative leave. Michigan State Police have taken over the investigation.

Trigg confirmed that K-9 Digo is recovering and is expected to make a full recovery before returning to active duty with the GRPD.

Source: Google News GY — Georgetown