MSP: CMU attacker had 'pellet pistol'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Eric Ramsey had a "pellet pistol" when he was shot to death by a Crawford County deputy after he abducted and raped a Central Michigan University student Wednesday night.

The pistol resembled a .45 semi-automatic, Lt. Blake Davis of the Michigan State Police told 24 Hour News 8. It's believed to be the same weapon he used when he abducted the CMU co-ed.

Davis said he believes his officers acted appropriately.

The abduction happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Student Activity Center. Ramsey forced the CMU student into her Ford Escape and drove her to a home on S. Mission Road near E. Blanchard Road in Lincoln Township.

He bound and sexually assaulted the woman, officials said. Ramsey then put the woman back in her vehicle and they drove to get some gas cans. He said he was going to kill her, authorities told 24 Hour News 8.

But she jumped from the vehicle and may have suffered a broken arm. She ran to a nearby house, where two teenagers let her in.

Ramsey followed her to the house and tried to set it on fire.

A chase ensued and Ramsey rammed the truck into two Michigan State Police vehicles and one Crawford County vehicle. A trooper was injured.

A Crawford County sheriff's deputy was briefly pinned in his cruiser. After he managed to get out of his vehicle, he fatally shot Ramsey, police said.