Update: Sebewaing teen on life support, police officer injured following shooting

HAMPTON TOWNSHIP, MI — Police say two people, one a Sebewaing police officer and the other a juvenile detainee, have been shot outside the Bay County Juvenile Home in Hampton Township.

Gerald Runde, chief of the Hampton Township Police Department, said the shootings took place shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, outside the home, 520 W. Hampton Road. He said the officer was shot in the right hand after a male youth being transported to the facility struggled with him and eventually obtained his firearm.

After the officer was shot, the juvenile shot himself, Runde said, adding he was not immediately sure of the juvenile's condition. He declined to say where the bullet entered the juvenile's body.

"He slipped one of his hands out of his handcuffs, that's how he was able to get the officer's gun away from him," said Troy Cunningham, Bay County undersheriff.

Cunningham added that, according to an official at the facility, the youth had been housed at the home within the last several weeks.

Runde said the officer's injury was not life threatening and that he has been transported to a local medical facility to receive care.

In addition to the Hampton Township Police Department, officers from the Michigan State Police, Essexville Police Department and Bay County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, as did the Hampton Township Fire Department, Runde said. A Bay City Public Safety officer and vehicle were also at the scene.

Yellow police tape surrounded the Juvenile Home, which is located near the intersection of West Hampton and North Knight roads. The Bay County Medical Care Facility and the Bay County Golf Course are located nearby.

Runde said Hampton Township officials handled the initial investigation, but the incident will now be turned over to the Sheriff's Office for further review. He said that Michigan State Police are expected to provide on-scene forensic support.

Bay County Sheriff John E. Miller was at the scene and confirmed his department is now taking over the investigation. He did not immediately know the name of the juvenile involved in the shootings or his condition.

— Sam Easter is a general assignment reporter for The Bay City Times. He can be reached at seaster@mlive.com.