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Suspect In Trooper Shooting Death Has Criminal Past, PPO Against Him

Posted at 6:42 PM, Sep 10, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-10 18:49:45-04

Eric Knysz stillGRAND RAPIDS, Mich.,– New details are emerging about the male suspect connected to the shooting death of a Michigan State Trooper.

Eric Knysz, 19, and his wife Sarah, 20, were taken into custody in Manistee County following the incident Monday night.

Trooper Paul Butterfield was found in Mason County, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head after attempting a traffic stop. He died a short time later in the hospital.

FOX 17 obtained a personal protection order taken out in Lake County by the supect’s uncle, Matthew Knysz. The document, filed in March 2013, stated that he had been assaulted by his nephew and felt threatened by him. He wrote “[Eric] has access to several guns and I am afraid of him.”

According to public records, Knysz also has several convictions, including first degree home invasion, drunk driving, carrying a concealed weapon and domestic violence.

Sarah Knysz, who is several months pregnant, has no criminal record.