MSP IDs suspect fatally shot by officer

BELDING, Mich. (AP) - State police have tentatively identified a western Michigan man they say was fatally shot after repeatedly firing at police cruisers.

Lt. Kevin Sweeney tells the Sentinel-Standard of Ionia and Mlive.com that he's believed to be 55-year-old Bernard Rowley of Sidney. Family told 24 Hour News 8 Saturday that Rowley was the person involved.

Police say the man fired shots before dawn Saturday outside the Belding police department, shattering the window of a department vehicle.

Sweeney says an officer inside the building heard the gunshots, went outside and saw the man getting into a van. Sweeney says the officer followed the van and called for backup.

A state trooper arrived to assist, and the officers later stopped the van.

Sweeney says the man got out and began shooting at the patrol cars. The lieutenant says the Belding officer returned fire, killing the suspect.

State records show that in 1982, Rowley was arrested in connection to a homicide case, but was later found guilty of possession or use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol.