Bail Jumping Suspect Gunned Down Afterhe Reached For the Gun
Posted on
June 22,2023
On April 21, 2023, at 10:57 p.m., 69-year-old William F. Voelker was walking down the road in the 3100 block of Airport Avenue when Grand Rapids Officer Erik Backlund stopped to talk to him. Voelker was wanted on suspicion of bail jumping. During the conversation, Officer Backlund told Voelker he was looking for him for bail jumping, and Voelker unzipped his jacket and reached inside for a handgun. Officer Backlund warned Voelker to stop or he would shoot. Voelker said he wanted the officer to shoot him and pulled out the gun. Officer Backlund shot Voelker, then moved behind his squad car, reloaded his gun and called for help. Officers provided medical attention to Voelker, but he died at the scene.
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