Slain Ionian talked cartels, AZ family

IONIA, Mich. (WOOD) - The man shot to death by an Ionia County deputy made contact with at least two police agencies in the hours before he died on Friday.

Cory James Ryan, 41, is not from Arizona as originally believed, and is described now as a resident of Ionia. His parents live in Arizona - and they also contacted the Ionia County authorities Friday morning because they were concerned about his well-being.

Around 6 a.m. Friday, Ryan called the Kent County 911 operator and "made bizarre comments about Mexican cartels and his family in Arizona," said Ionia County Undersheriff Dale Miller.

Then around 8 a.m., Ryan appeared in person at the front desk in the Ionia County Sheriff Department and made similar comments. But before anyone could come out to talk with him, he left.

Several hours later, officers from the Ionia Police Department went to his house to check on him. That's when shots rang out.

Two people were wounded when Ryan stepped out from the back of his house and fired at people standing on the front porch of a house in the 900 block of West Main.

He then walked down the street and fired at an Ionia County deputy. He missed. The deputy - a 15-year veteran of the force - fired back and hit him in the chest.

Ryan died at the hospital.

Authorities originally believed he was from Arizona, but now describe him as an Ionia resident, though they are unclear how long he's lived there. He is a Michigander, however.

The deputy who shot Ryan is currently on administrative leave pending the investigation by the Michigan State Police.

"He's an excellent officer for us," Miller told 24 Hour News 8. "We're hoping we can provide the services he needs so he can get back to serving the community."