Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

September 12, 2012

Michigan in Brief: 09/12/2012

FROM WIRE REPORTS ----

Officials: Man who killed cop had arsenal

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A businessman who gunned down a police officer at his suburban Detroit home held authorities at bay for hours with an arsenal of high-powered rifles and other weapons before finally killing himself, officials said Tuesday.

Officers were responding to a report of a possible suicide attempt Sunday night at the home in West Bloomfield Township when Ricky Coley shot Officer Pat O'Rourke, authorities said. About 15 families were evacuated from nearby homes during the subsequent 20-hour standoff that ended when Coley was found dead in his bed Monday evening.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard told reporters Tuesday that the standoff lasted so long because relatives had warned investigators about his weapons, and because of a barrage of gunfire from Coley.

Woman seeks to wed missing baby's dad

IONIA — A woman has filed papers to marry the father of her missing baby daughter, imprisoned for abducting the girl before her apparent slaying.

Ionia County authorities told Mlive.com that Ariel Courtland, of Ludington, will get a license Thursday to marry Sean Phillips.

He's the father of Katherine Phillips, who was 4½ months old when last seen in June 2011.

A Mason County judge sentenced him to 10-15 years in prison for unlawful imprisonment. Prosecutors say Phillips abducted Katherine because he feared a test would confirm his paternity.

Police and the FBI say they now consider it a homicide investigation.

Courtland tells WOOD-TV she wants to marry Phillips to visit him in prison in Ionia in her effort to learn what happened to their baby, not because she loves him.

Memorials mark 9/11 anniversary

SAULT STE. MARIE — From Sault Ste. Marie to Grand Rapids, Michiganians attended memorials and community service events on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In Sault Ste. Marie, students and staff at Lake Superior State University students have launched 231 balloons in memory of the number of Michigan victims lost in the attacks.

A day of activities took place Tuesday at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids featuring the President Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Employees of Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. employees are continuing service projects as part of the global Ford Global Week of Caring.

Volunteers in the Detroit area are be painting, renovating, planting and building at shelters, care centers and other nonprofit facilities.

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