Police shoot and kill unarmed man after foot chase

One person was killed Tuesday evening in an officer-involved shooting in northwest Springfield.

Police say Michael Steven Ireland, 31, was shot and killed by police. Police say it appears Ireland was unarmed.

According to Springfield police, officers were called to the 1900 block of West Division Street after 10 p.m. to check on "suspicious activity."

Officers arrived and attempted to contact Ireland, who then ran from the scene, police say.

An officer "chased (Ireland) on foot and ultimately a shooting occurred in the 1400 block of Marion (Avenue)," police say.

The officer, Andrew Bath, 27, chased Ireland on foot and eventually caught up with him, police say.

"At some point during the ensuing encounter," police said in a news release, "the officer shot the suspect one time in the chest and he died at the scene shortly afterward."

Police did not discover a weapon at the scene.

Bath has been placed on paid administrative leave. As is department procedure, a criminal investigation and internal investigation of the shooting will take place. The results of the criminal investigation will be forwarded to Greene County prosecutors.

Human Resources Director Sheila Maerz said Bath began working for the city in January 2012 as a police recruit. He attended the police academy his first six months with the city, followed by three months of field training.

Police spokeswoman Lisa Cox confirmed Bath was a member of the same eight-man squad as Officer Aaron Pearson, who was shot while on duty Jan. 26. Cox said Bath was off duty the night Pearson was shot.

Ireland was wanted on municipal warrants and on parole following an eight-year prison sentence for tampering with a motor vehicle, according to Department of Corrections records.

Records show Ireland has past convictions for drug distribution, forgery and identity theft.

Ireland's cousin William Birchler said he couldn't believe the news when he found out the man he grew up with had been shot and killed.

"I really don't understand what exactly happened," Birchler said. "I am still kind of stunned."

Birchler said Ireland was a funny man who enjoyed spending time with his family.

He said what he will remember most about Ireland is his positive attitude. The last time Birchler saw Ireland, he said Ireland was out of the gas on the side of the road, but somehow still in a good mood.

"We went through a lot of hard times," Birchler said. "But he always had a smile on his face."

Birchler acknowledged, however, that his cousin occasionally ran afoul of the law.

Ireland's 2009 arrest was for breaking into a pickup truck and attempting to remove a stereo and GPS device. He was sentenced in 2009 and convicted as a "prior and persistent offender."

Ireland was in and out of prison from 2006 to 2013. He was released on parole in June of 2013, according to department records.

Birchler said he believed Ireland was working to get his life in order, but Ireland had recently lost his job and was having financial problems.

Birchler said he was not surprised to hear Ireland had run from police, but he didn't think his cousin would let things escalate to violence.

"Nobody wants to go to jail," Birchler said. "But being violent, that's not Michael."

Capt. Greg Higdon had said police believe they have spoken with everyone who was at the scene or involved in the incident.

It's standard procedure for police to place an officer on paid administrative leave after he or she is involved in a shooting.

Springfield's policy on police use of force says that police may use lethal force only when an officer "reasonably believes that the action is in the defense of human life." Firing a gun at someone is generally considered lethal force.

The policy, which was effective Dec. 31, 2013, says police may use lethal force to prevent the escape of a violent fleeing felon only if the suspect "poses a clear and immediate threat to public safety if not apprehended without delay." Some examples cited by the policy are a serial murderer or rapist or a suspect who has used a deadly weapon to escape.

Springfield's policy defines a violent felon as a person who has been identified as participating in the commission or attempt of a murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, forcible sodomy, aggravated assault, kidnapping or armed robbery.

A candlelight vigil is being planned for Ireland on Friday at 5 p.m., at police headquarters in Springfield.

Julia Stowe, an acquaintance of Ireland, is organizing the event to show displeasure with the police department's reporting of the shooting.

"It's quite a shock that this happened," Stowe said.

Stowe said vigil organizers are hoping some policy changes will come out of this shooting, specifically the purchase of body cameras for Springfield officers.

Stowe said she is not sure how many people to expect at the vigil, but some of Ireland's family members from out of state have messaged her saying they plan to attend. Those who attend are asked to bring candles.

News-Leader reporter Harrison Keegan contributed to this report.

Other recent fatal Springfield police shootings

•May 13, 2014 - Tracey Liniger, 50, was killed by officers at a storage unit facility near the intersection of Sunshine and U.S. 60 after authorities say she pointed a handgun at officers who fired back.

•Feb. 22, 2013 - Martin Y. Potts was killed by officers after a 10-minute gunbattle at 2506 W. Grand St. Police say the shootout began when Potts first shot at a detective while officers served a search warrant at the house.

•May 1, 2010 - Dumone D. Starks, 22, was killed by police near an alley between the Pony Club and the Lamplighter Inn in the 1700 block of South Glenstone Avenue. Police said Starks fled from a car during a traffic stop, prompting an officer to give chase. Starks was killed after he pointed the gun at the officer.