Officer charged in GVSU shooting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - An Ottawa County deputy was charged Monday with careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death in the shooting of Grand Valley State University student Derek Copp.

Deputy Ryan Huizenga was named in the warrant issued by the Kalamazoo County prosecutor's office.

Copp was shot during a drug raid at his off-campus apartment on March 11. Huizenga was working with the West Michigan Enforcement Team. He fired a single shot at the unarmed Copp, striking him in the chest.

Copp's father, George Copp, wasn't aware of the charge until contacted Monday by 24 Hour News 8. He wasn't surprised.

"This shouldn't ever have happened," Copp said. "I'm pleased by the outcome, but not too pleased by the whole ordeal. ...He's a pretty good kid, pretty happy kid, normally."

The bullet struck Derek Copp in the right upper chest. It broke ribs, punctured a lung and pierced his liver. He was released from a hospital after about a week, returned to school, and then hospitalized with lung problems.

He is recuperating at home, his father said Monday.

Huizenga joined the sheriff's department 12 years ago and has worked on the drug enforcement for two years. He had been on paid leave since the shooting, but now he is on unpaid leave from the department.

Derek Copp's attorney, Frederick D. Dilley, released a statement after learning of the charge.

"We are pleased with the very rapid and thorough investigation and review by the Michigan State Police and Kalamazoo County prosecutor's office.

"This is a tragedy for all involved, and Derek looks forward to getting life back to normal as soon as possible."

Fink told 24 Hour News 8 he based the charge on interviews with Derek Copp, Copp's roommate and officers at the scene.

"I felt the offense fit the facts," Fink said.

He wouldn't say whether Huizenga spoke to investigators. A union official had said that Huizenga refused to speak with detectives investigating the shooting.

"We felt that the officer should not have discharged his weapon in this particular case, and based upon the facts and what the witnesses told investigators, we felt it was a careless discharge."

Fink acknowledged that he considered the impact of such a ruling on officers who often make quick, life-and-death decisions.

"Officers do have difficult decisions; there's no doubt, and this was a split-second decision, if you will, but this is not an intentional, planned shooting."

Fink said the search warrant to raid Copp's home was legitimate and was based on previous marijuana sales at his apartment.

Ottawa County Undersheriff Gregory A. Steigenga told 24 Hour News 8 "It's obviously an unfortunate situation all around. It's a process that we've been working through and will continue to work through."

He said the department is "accepting" of the charges brought fourth by the prosecutor.

The Ottawa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association released a statement on its Web site regarding Deputy Huizenga's arraignment. President Matthew VanLiere said --

"Ottawa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association confirms support for Deputy Ryan Huizenga. Contrary to an unnamed "Union Official's" earlier account, Deputy Huizenga has cooperated with the both the criminal and internal investigations being conducted by the Michigan State Police and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. It is the intent of the Ottawa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association that this cooperation will continue throughout the duration of this matter.The Ottawa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association would like to confirm our ongoing support for Deputy Ryan Huizenga."

An official familiar with the investigation said the incident happened this way:

Copp and his roommate were in the dimly lit apartment about 9 p.m. when they heard a knock at the back slider door. It was at this door that previous undercover marijuana sales had taken place, the source said.

Police had planned to use a battering ram for the door, but found the slider was open.

As police were opening the slider, Copp was pulling open the slider curtain. That is when a light mounted on an officer's weapon hit Copp in the eyes.

Copp, who has an astigmatism that makes him sensitive to light, raised his right arm to cover his eyes.

That is when the shot was fired.

The officer who fired the shot was among those who fought to save Copp's life.