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Posted on Thu, Aug 4, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.

Man shot by Pittsfield Township police commits suicide

By Paula Gardner

Devin Reddick, who was shot in the abdomen by Pittsfield Township police in January then filed a federal lawsuit over the incident, committed suicide early Thursday, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.

Reddick, 30, shot himself while he was at the Rosewood Village condominiums near Platt Road, according to the report.

That location is where he was shot by police after a domestic altercation.

Reddick later filed a federal lawsuit , claiming the officer who shot him used excessive force. Washtenaw County prosecutors cleared the officer of wrongdoing.

Reddick pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and driving with a suspended license.

Read the Free Press report.

Suicide Hotline: The Psychiatric Emergency Services department of the University of Michigan Health System operates a suicide hotline 24 hours / 7 days a week. For information, call (734) 936-5900.

Comments

Ricebrnr

Sat, Aug 6, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.

This wife? "On Saturday, Pittsfield Township police said Reddick's wife reported at 4 p.m. that he assaulted her at their home in the Arbor Pointe Apartments off Clark Road." Hmmm I supposed it could be possible she might be offended by what is posted here. But then again...quite possibly not.

Seeker

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.

Mr. Reddick shot himself because he has been dealing with post traumatic stress since the shooting. He has been having nightmares and has been miserable since the unwarranted shooting from the officer. So glad the rest of you have found closure with his death. I hope his wife and son never see your crass and inane conversations.

racerx

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.

A very sad end. I only hope that his suit is carried forward. How can anyone say that the officer who shot him is not to blame. No, not to be blamed for his suicide, but, blamed for him being shot in the stomach. Despite the officer being cleared, the civil suit still needs to go forward. Just think about the OJ Simpson case. Found not guilty of murder, but later found guilty of civil infractions.

Ricebrnr

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 12:46 p.m.

If some of you insist on tying this to his shooting then the more plausible explanation would be this is the delayed culmination a suicide by cop attempt...

WhyCan'tWeBeFriends

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 6:55 a.m.

Misdemeanor charges. A man is dead. Shame on everyone. He needed help. I do not blame the police officer involved however. If there is no respect for the law, and I suspect she will be found to have acted in righteous defense, then the law has been upheld. If any of us loses respect for the law, it is simply anarchy. That is not acceptable. This is very sad nonetheless.

aawolve

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.

Shame yourself, I'm not the self-loathing type.

KathrynHahn

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 4:35 a.m.

Wow, your comments! This guy was obviously troubled, which led to the incident that resulted in his being shot in the abdomen in the first place. The officer is NOT to blame. Having known family and friends that have lost their lives to suicide I can assure you it has more to do with inner pain that's been there for a while as opposed to a recent run in with the cops that may or may not result in winning a lawsuit. Suicide is a deep issue. Nobody can make you do it, it usually comes from a lifetime of pain, addiction, abuse, many reasons, none of which involved his January arrest.

Terrin Bell

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 4:18 a.m.

I am not sure why anybody had to bring up blaming the officer. What does that have to do with anything? Further, only the Officer knows whether she deserves blame, as only she knows whether the shooting was proper. Moreover, the Officer might truly be blameless. I, however, wouldn't cite the prosecutors findings to validate that belief. Prosecutors almost always side with police officers. They often times get paid by the same party; see each other daily; and not siding with the police officer would expose the City to damages.

jcj

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.

It is always sad when anyone feels they have no reason to live.

Tru2Blu76

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.

Well, it is sad. I will only say that Mr. Reddick's actions throughout the time he was tangling with the law and the courts suggest he may have had a serious "personal problem." I believe the news reports told as complete a story as was possible and allowable. I take away from such stories a reminder that my "attitudes" and my ability to behave civilly greatly influence the outcomes I get in life. Constant belligerence, it seems, is not a good strategy.

squidlover

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.

I certainly hope that nobody suggests that the actions of the officer has anything to do with this suicide. The officer performed her duty, has been cleared of wrongdoing and I'm sure that she regrets that the entire incident had to happen in the first place; she doesn't need or deserve anybody to place any blame on her for his actions. Although this is unfortunate, I hope it brings the whole mess to an end.

Adam Betz

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 11:30 a.m.

I would certainly suggest that this incident had something to do with him committing suicide. While several different events undoubtedly played a role, the burden of a court system and police department that is not on the side of citizens when something wrong happens is quite frustrating. Police officers are rarely found of wrongdoing by their own departments INTERNAL investigation. I'm sure this man was stressed out and probably felt hopeless over the powers that be...he did not find justice. All too common in this nation anymore.

Joey

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.

I agree with Craig. I remember reading about this when it initially happened, and seeing the video of the police officer shooting this man. There are a few reasons i can guess why this was what happened but no matter what it is this is a sad end.

Craig Lounsbury

Fri, Aug 5, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.

a sad end to this story