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Authorities: Man killed by deputy acted aggressively with large knife

Posted at 9:36 PM, Nov 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-24 09:37:12-05

HOLLAND, Mich. — A man is dead after he was shot by a deputy Wednesday evening near an apartment complex in Holland.

It happened after 8 p.m. in the 300 block of Beeline Road. Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker says they responded to a medical emergency. Officers approached the apartment and when they say a 43-year-old white man came out of the front door and started acting aggressively while holding a large knife.

Kempker says the deputy ordered him to drop his knife several times, but the suspect refused and continued towards him. That's when the deputy fired 3 shots, killing the suspect.

The deputy who fired the shots is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation from Michigan State Police. The deputy was not injured.

Deputies believe the suspect was the one who made initial medical emergency call. Neighbors identify the suspect as David Thelen.

David Thelen, courtesy Facebook.

The suspect was the only person inside the apartment at the time of the shooting, deputies say.

The deputy name are not being released at this time.