IONIA COUNTY, Mich -- An alleged intruder is dead after being shot inside an Ionia County home Tuesday night.
Police say it happened in the 4000 block of East Musgrove Hwy in Sebewa Township.
According to the Ionia County Sheriff's Office, they responded to a call around 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday night regarding a man that had broken into a residential home. Police say the intruder startled the homeowner inside, talking about how someone was chasing and trying to kill him. At this point, the owner was armed with a firearm.
The Ionia County Sheriff' Office says the homeowner stepped outside with the intruder, but found no evidence that he was in any real danger. Police say once the pair were back inside the home, the man started acting erratically and assaulted the owner.
Police say the homeowner then fired his weapon, killing the intruder. The deceased has been identified as Justin Eddy, 40, of Lansing. Police say they do not believe Eddy had any connection to the homeowners. They are unclear on why he chose that particular residence to enter.
Says the Sheriff's Office in a news release, "The homeowner who fired the shot that killed the intruder has not been arrested at this time, pending Prosecutor review, and is cooperating with law enforcement."
Police say further investigation revealed that the vehicle Eddy arrived at the home on Muskgrove Highway in had been stolen from another home about two miles east of that location, in the 2000 block of E. Musgrove Highway. "Investigation at the property led deputies to finding a pickup truck registered to Justin Eddy on that property still running, with its headlights on."
According to investigators, Eddy abandoned the vehicle there, and then allegedly stole another pickup truck with a flatbed trailer attached. After that, police say he hauled away a piece of heavy equipment and proceeded to drive through a few properties, damaging the truck and trailer before arriving at the house where the shooting happened.
Police say drugs and alcohol are suspected factors in the case.
Anyone with more information about the case should contact the Ionia County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau at (616)-527-5737.
