Friend defends deputy in Copp shooting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - An Ottawa County sheriff''s deputy was charged earlier this week for shooting a college student during a drug raid.

Deputy Ryan Huizenga was charged with careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death in the shooting of Grand Valley State University student Derek Copp.

The shooting occurred March 11 at Copp's off-campus apartment.

24 Hour News 8 talked Wednesday night with one of Huizenga's childhood friends. Dave DeZwann says there is more to the story.

"Him as a person didn't mean to go there and do anything criminal. I think he was just on a night where he was going to work and was gonna go do his job the best way he knew how," said DeZwann.

He said he grew up with Huizenga.

"Ryan is a good person. He is a loving dad, a caring husband, a faithful servant to his community. His record will speak for itself," DeZwann says.

DeZwann makes no judgment but he does have a hope for the eventual outcome of an event that has changed at least two families' lives forever.

"Did he make a mistake? Maybe he did. You know, that will remain to be seen. Hopefully he's exonerated of all these charges and he can go back to his life as he knew it."

DeZwann says he hasn't talked to Huizenga since the incident, but said he thought it was important that someone told his friend's story.