ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. — The deputy connected to the shooting death of Joseph Nagle will not face charges.
The 22-year-old was shot and killed during what began as a traffic stop in Monterey Township near 26th Street and 134th Avenue.
Allegan County prosecutors say the shooting was justified given the evidence presented in the case.
Nagle's attorney, Tom Siver, held a news conference shortly after the decision was reached. He said that he is requesting the Michigan attorney general to review the case.
The prosecutor's decision comes after reviewing evidence outline in Michigan State Police reports, medical records, photos, Taser analyses, video footage from nearby businesses and more, officials say.
In a memorandum issued to Michigan State Police, the Allegan County prosecuting attorney recounts the events that led to Nagle’s death on June 16, 2022.
The report begins by saying the deputy had reason to believe Nagle was under the influence after noting his vehicle swerved over the road’s fog line.
After conducting a traffic stop, the deputy asked Nagle to step out of the vehicle upon smelling marijuana coming from inside the car, prosecutors explain. Nagle reportedly became agitated and displayed quick movements, prompting the deputy to ask Nagle to stand in front of the car.
Nagle kept twisting and turning with irregular movements, and the deputy asked if Nagle had issues with his vision, according to the memorandum. Nagle reportedly answered by saying he is legally blind, to which the deputy allowed Nagle to retrieve his glasses from the car.
After failing a series of sobriety tests, Nagle raised his voice and questioned why the ongoing tests were necessary, claiming he did not use drugs due to his status as a delivery driver. He then spun around and backed toward the center of the road, prosecutors say.
We’re told the deputy insisted that Nagle return and continue with the sobriety tests or face arrest. Nagle continued to resist while the deputy made attempts to calm him, the report says. At this point, Nagle told the deputy he lived in Comstock Park.
The deputy then asked Nagle if knew where he was, to which Nagle replied that he was lost before approaching the driver’s side door of his car, prosecutors explain.
The deputy requested backup and told Nagle he was under arrest on the grounds of resisting an officer and failing to follow instructions. A struggle ensued, during which prosecutors say the deputy told Nagle, “Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what?” Nagle replied, according to the report. “Shoot me? That’s your goal, isn’t it? To shoot and kill me?”
The deputy assured Nagle he had no intention of shooting him and urged him to stop resisting.
Prosecutors say Nagle started punching the deputy in the head while saying, “I am going to kill you.”
The deputy sustained 15–20 punches and headbutts when his eyesight blurred and his legs grew weak, according to the memorandum. The deputy recounts he was close to blacking out and was afraid he would die, at which he drew his weapon and shot Nagle once.
After Nagle fell to the ground laughing, the deputy signaled “shot fired” over the radio and gave CPR to Nagle while he called in an ambulance, the report reads.
EMTs arrived and provided CPR to Nagle while the deputy sought medical aid.
The deputy later arrived at the sheriff’s office where his weapon was checked, which prosecutors say was missing one bullet.
The deputy was hospitalized and diagnosed with a traumatic head injury, facial bruising, hematoma in the scalp, and an injury to the hinge joint in the jaw, according to the memorandum.
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