Wily Suspect Baffles Police

An armed robbery suspect who must have wanted a death by cop makes for a bad day for police.

The Jackson County Prosecutors office has released dashcam video from an officer involved shooting involving Blackman Leoni Township Department of Public Safety, Jackson County Sheriff's Department and the City of Jackson Police Department. On March 11, 2018 at 2:24 p.m., a Blackman Public Safety Officer (PSO) was dispatched to the Dollar General store at 3025 E. Michigan for a report of an Armed Robbery that had just occurred. At approximately 2:39 p.m., Blackman PSO Fryt observed a person matching this description on Tyson Street near Watts Street. Officer Fryt stopped his patrol car on Tyson Street facing the robbery suspect and made verbal contact. The officer asked Townley to walk towards him and he did. At about that time, additional police officers arrived on the scene.

Officer Fryt gave Kenneth Townley at least four verbal commands for Townley to put his hands on top of his head. He did not comply. Then, Townley reached his right hand into the pocket of his sweatshirt. Townley did not comply. Townley raised the gun and pointed it at PSO Fryt's vehicle. Townley raised the gun to shoulder level, pointing it at the officers. At that point, the officers fired their guns multiple times at Townley. Townley fell to the ground after being shot. He was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital where he died during surgery. It was discovered that Townley's gun was not a real gun, but an Airsoft pistol. The autopsy results showed Townley was shot 5 times. The Jackson County Prosecutors office has ruled this officer involved shooting justified.