Gun battle with bank robbers detailed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Six law enforcement officers were involved in a life-or-death gun battle with fleeing bank robbers Kristopher Cheyne and Derryl LaFave moments after their speeding Oldsmobile killed Walker police Officer Trevor Slot on Oct. 13.

The official report, released Tuesday and signed by Ottawa County Prosecutor Ronald Frantz, details the chaotic minutes that took place along I-96 and the exit ramp to 8th Avenue.

Cheyne and LaFave were traveling at speeds greater than 100 mph during a chase along I-96.

"They were pursued by Muskegon County Sheriff's Lieutenant Shane Brown and Michigan State Police Troopers Joseph Young, Christopher Bush, and David Cardenas. Ottawa County Sheriffs Deputies Shawn James and Rick Sykes also pursued in separate marked cruisers, along with additional MSP and OCSD units, and units from the Walker Police Department and FBI," the report reads.

During the chase, Cheyne and LaFave were firing at the pursuing officers, hitting one Muskegon County Sheriff's Department vehicle

The report continues, "The Oldsmobile abruptly exited at the 8th Avenue exit striking and killing Officer Slot, who was located outside his marked cruiser on the exit ramp. The heavily damaged Oldsmobile left the paved exit ramp, struck several road signs, and continued west stopping in the ravine between the exit ramp and I-96."

Cheyne was the driver. As he left the car, MSP's Young tried to strike him. But he hit the door of the Oldsmobile and missed Cheyne, who had stepped back.

Cheyne then fired a shotgun blast that hit the passenger rear side of Young's cruiser. Cheyne then ran through the ravine and toward deputies from Ottawa County.

He was clipped by Trooper Bush's cruiser. He continued to threaten the officers with his gun. A number of officers returned fire with a shotgun and handguns, and Cheyne was hit multiple times. He died at the scene.

LaFave remained in the back of the Oldsmobile and kept shooting his rifle. Michigan State Police troopers and Muskegon County deputy Brown returned fire. Brown approached the car and saw LaFave point his gun at a trooper. He ordered LaFave to stop, and when he didn't, Brown fired his weapon.

LaFave also died at the scene.

"All MSP troopers, MCSD, and OCSD deputies involved in the incident were aware of rifle fire coming from the fleeing Oldsmobile toward pursuing officers," the report said. "Additionally, all were aware that the fleeing Oldsmobile had been driven at very high speeds and in a reckless manner, endangering other motorists along the pursuit route. Both Cheyne and Lafave had disregarded verbal commands as the incident progressed. While the killing of Officer Slot may not have been immediately know by all officers at the scene, the threatening behavior of Cheyne and Lafave toward fellow officers at the scene was apparent...

"The actions of Troopers Young, Bush, and Cardenas, Deputies James and Sykes, and Lieutenant Brown were well within the Supreme Court standard and were a lawful and appropriate response to the danger presented by Cheyne and Lafave. They acted with an honest and reasonable belief that they or their fellow officers were in immediate danger. No criminal charges will be filed against the officers."

Inside woodtv.com:

Official report on deaths of Officer Slot, Kristopher Cheyne, Derryl LaFave (pdf)