MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- Police say a man is in custody for a robbery and shots fired incident outside a church, and the victim is a retired Muskegon County Judge.
It happened around 12:45 a.m. Friday when the judge was arriving at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1716 6th Street, for a late-night prayer vigil. The judge had just parked his car in the lot on the southwest corner of 6th and Dale Ave. when the suspect approached, gun in hand and demanding the victim's wallet.
When the judge refused to give up his wallet, the suspect began firing at the victim -- but the judge was not hit.
An off-duty Muskegon Police officer was inside the church for the vigil and heard the gunshots outside. He found the judge at the secured entrance to the church and got him inside to safety, then called Muskegon County Central Dispatch for help.
Arriving officers found the suspect a block away from the church and took him into custody. The judge later identified the man as the person who tried to rob him. Officers also recovered the weapon believed used in the attack.
The suspect is a 27-year-old man, who is facing charges of felonious assault and armed robbery. Police are not releasing his name until he appears in court.