COPEMISH — A large manhunt ended when police arrested a Bear Lake man suspected of shooting a teenage girl.
Michigan State Police arrested Paul Joseph Hard, 42, in Manistee County's Bear Lake Township at about 3:30 p.m. Monday. Police believe he shot a girl, 14, multiple times at a residence on Erwin Road south of Copemish at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
The victim is expected to recover, but her wounds were life-threatening.
"I take comfort in knowing he is in custody," Capt. Robert Lesneski said. "All of the citizens in that area, I can only imagine what they were going through, being on pins and needles wondering if he's in their neighborhood and what he's capable of doing."
Hard is an acquaintance of the girl's family, but authorities aren't sure why he came to the residence with a gun, Lt. Kip Belcher said. The shooting did not appear accidental.
"We're looking into that to see what triggered this," he said. "It's a horrific event, and someone would have to be in a highly agitated state to engage in this kind of behavior."
Belcher wasn't sure, but he believed the girl was the only one home at the time of the incident.
A state police helicopter spotted Hard's vehicle Monday near Chief and Potter roads, Belcher said. He tried to drive his vehicle near a state police perimeter there, and troopers shot at him.
He eventually was arrested. No one was injured during the arrest.
Region
Police: Man shot girl, 14
Teen is expected to recover after being hit by multiple shots
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