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Dash cam video shows chase leading up to deadly police-involved shooting

Posted at 9:40 PM, May 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-22 21:40:46-04


WARNING: The video above might be disturbing to some viewers.

PORTAGE, Mich -- Newly released dash-cam video from the Portage Department of Public Safety shows the dramatic May 14 chase that ended in police shooting and killing 37-year-old Sean Pelletier.

The video obtained by FOX 17 is from the perspective of a Portage police cruiser involved in the pursuit of the red Acura that 37-year-old Sean Pelletier and his brother 29-year-old Aaron Pelletier were driving in when police attempted a traffic stop to serve an arrest warrant.

The chase began on the eastern end of Kalamazoo County and lasted roughly 30 minutes. Police told FOX 17 they were attempting to arrest one of the brothers on a warrant related to an on-going and 'volatile' eviction situation involving the man's mother.

Police knew the brothers owned several firearms which is why they attempted to make the arrest away from the home.

The back window of the red Acura the Pelletier brothers were driving was shot out during the police-involved shooting.

During the chase one of the brothers could be seen holding a 'high powered' military-type assault rifle, according to police.

The video shows the tail-end of the chase as police cruisers attempted to surround Pelletier's car outside of the Anna'a Vineyard apartment complex off of Milham Road just south of the I-94/U.S. 131 interchange in Portage. At one point, the red Acura smashes into a cruiser before spinning around and continuing to drive into the complex.

Police officers on scene at the Anna's Vineyard apartment complex in Portage following the deadly May 14 police chase.

As the chase continues into the complex, more gunshots can be heard. The police cruiser recording the video obtained by FOX 17 veers off and around a building on the complex. By the time the red Acura is again in sight, Sean Pelletier can be seen exiting the vehicle. Police said he had an assault rifle in hand leading several officers to open fire, fatally shooting him.

Michigan State Police F/Lt. Dale Hinz said the investigation is ongoing and 'complex.'

“There’s four police agencies involved with it, several officers, several witnesses and so you can well imagine it’s a difficult and complex investigation to assemble," F/Lt. Dale Hinz told FOX 17 on Friday. "That’s why we’re asking everyone for their patience.”

Hinz said they are still waiting on autopsy and ballistics results before the case can be sent off to the Kalamazoo County prosecutor's office for review.

Aaron Pelletier remains in critical condition from the gunshot wounds he sustained during the chase, according to police.