KALKASKA — Authorities didn’t know much about James W. Brackenbury’s intentions when he ran off into a wooded area with a pair of guns in tow, but they knew he was agitated.
That’s why officials in Kalkaska County are glad Brackenbury, 41, turned himself in without incident early Monday after a manhunt that lasted much of the weekend. Dozens of officers from multiple agencies searched woods and swamps in Orange Township after a man said Brackenbury pointed a gun at him early Saturday and then took off.
“Until he was in custody, I don’t think anyone felt safe, especially the neighbors,” Kalkaska Sheriff Dave Israel said.
Brackenbury was arraigned Monday afternoon on two counts of domestic violence, a count of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a felony. He remained in the Kalkaska County Jail Monday afternoon on a total of $600,000 in bonds.
Brackenbury lived with and was engaged to be married to the victim’s cousin, Israel said. During a Thursday night argument, Brackenbury allegedly assaulted his fiancée and fiancée’s daughter at their residence on Pontius Road south of Kalkaska.
Brackenbury was supposed to move out of the residence after the Thursday incident. When the fiancée’s cousin drove by on Saturday morning, he noticed Brackenbury was still there.
When the victim went up to speak with Brackenbury, he pulled a pistol and pointed it at him, then took off into the woods, authorities said. Brackenbury took the pistol and also had a rifle strapped on his back, Israel said.
Michigan State Police, Kalkaska County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and a task force comprised of officers from several northern Michigan police agencies searched for Brackenbury Saturday and Sunday.
They found his vehicle, but he wasn’t located. The situation was unnerving, Israel said, especially since authorities weren’t sure if Brackenbury planned to harm himself or others.
“We didn’t have a clue what he was capable of,” Israel said.
Brackenbury’s sibling called authorities early Monday and arranged to have him picked up at his parents’ home. Brackenbury claimed to have spent both Saturday and Sunday night in the woods.
Kelly Stephenson, a bartender at Whitetails Steak N Ale in Kalkaska, used to live in the area where the incident and subsequent search occurred. Area residents were “definitely” glad to hear Brackenbury turned himself in after being on the loose with guns and unclear intentions.
“It’s very, very scary,” she said.
Region
Suspect turns himself in after manhunt
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