Michigan state trooper charged with murder for fatally hitting fleeing suspect with SUV

A Michigan State Police detective has been accused of murder after allegedly hitting a suspect with an SUV last month near Grand Rapids, according to state prosecutors.

Detective Sgt. Brian Keely attempted to arrest 25-year-old Samuel Sterling on April 17. However, Sterling ran away and was pursued by multiple law enforcement officers on foot and by vehicle, as reported by the Michigan Department of the Attorney General.

Sterling was running through a fast food restaurant parking lot in Kentwood when a detective, driving an unmarked SUV, hit him, according to prosecutors.

Sterling fell to the ground, yelling and groaning in pain from his back, as seen in body-worn police camera footage. He was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, as reported by the attorney general's office.

Keely, who is 50 years old, is facing a charge of second-degree murder that could result in a life sentence. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel revealed on Tuesday that Keely also has an alternative charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Detective Sgt. Brian Keely

Detective Sgt. Brian Keely

Michigan State Police)

Detective Sergeant Keely's actions on that day were deemed legally negligent by Nessel. This negligence posed a high risk of death or serious harm that could have been avoided.

Last month, Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady II announced Keely's suspension from his position. CNN has reached out to MSP for further information on his current employment status in light of the murder charge.

Grady announced in April that the agency would investigate the fatal collision and acknowledged the pain many in the community were grappling with.

Grady said, "As an African American male and a father, it’s not lost on me that this is the death of another young African American male following an interaction with police."

Sterling family attorney Ven Johnson praised Attorney General Dana Nessel for pressing charges against Keely. He stated, "We appreciate the decision based on the strong evidence showing that Keely broke the law by running over Samuel Sterling."

In response, Keely's attorney, Marc Curtis, expressed disappointment. He mentioned, "It's unfortunate that, in today's climate of political correctness, Michigan's Attorney General has overlooked the facts of the case and instead succumbed to political pressure."

State police announced on May 10 that the investigation into the incident involving an SUV hitting Sterling was finished. All evidence collected was given to the attorney general’s office. On the same day, a video was released by the agency. The video was a compilation of footage from body-worn and dashboard cameras, edited for clarity.

The video captures a moment where a police officer is seen running after Sterling on foot. Sterling is chased into a Burger King parking lot. Suddenly, a large grey SUV enters the lot and strikes Sterling, trapping him against the wall of the restaurant.

A mural outside of Unity Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota depicts George Floyd. In May 2020, Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin right outside this convenience store and sparked nationwide protest over police brutality.

A mural of George Floyd is displayed outside Unity Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota. George Floyd was tragically killed by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020, sparking protests across the country against police brutality.

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After the SUV moves away, a group of officers approach Sterling and instruct him to place his hands behind his back. Sterling cries out in pain, repeatedly saying, “My back,” while groaning. Despite his hands being cuffed in front, Sterling continues to express discomfort, mentioning that his back and entire body are hurting.

One officer advises him, “Don’t move, man,” while others inquire about his pain and emphasize the importance of staying still until medical help arrives. Another officer adds, “We don’t want you to move your back.”

Sterling’s family was shocked and upset when they saw the video, according to their lawyer who spoke to CNN affiliate WWMT.

The lawyer, Johnson, stated, "No one should have the power to act as judge, jury, and executioner. Unfortunately, cases of police brutality and excessive force still happen too frequently. We are committed to seeking justice for Sterling's family and making sure those responsible for his death are held accountable."

Authorities did not mention the initial reason for trying to arrest Sterling, but back in April, Grady mentioned that Sterling had multiple warrants out for his arrest.

Keely's lawyer expressed that Sterling's passing was a tragic event that cannot be undone. The attorney also argued that Sterling's death could have been prevented if he had surrendered himself before the U.S. Marshall's Task Force was tasked with capturing him.

Curtis mentioned that if Mr. Sterling had followed the Detectives' instructions, the accident could have been prevented.

Keely is scheduled to appear in Kentwood district court for arraignment, but the date has not yet been determined.

Editor's P/S:

The alleged actions of Detective Sgt. Brian Keely, who is accused of hitting a suspect with an SUV and causing his death, are deeply concerning and raise serious questions about the use of force by law enforcement. The fact that Keely has been charged with second-degree murder highlights the severity of the incident and the need for a thorough investigation. It is crucial that all the facts surrounding this case are brought to light and that justice is served for the victim and his family.

This incident is a reminder of the ongoing issue of police brutality in the United States. The death of Samuel Sterling is yet another tragic example of the excessive force that can be used by law enforcement officers, particularly against people of color. It is essential that we work to reform our policing system and hold officers accountable for their actions. We must demand transparency, accountability, and justice for all victims of police brutality.