Sheriff Chris Swanson set to make it official he's running for Governor?
Worst kept secret in local history says it's true!
Worst kept secret in local history says it's true!
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT TWP. (CCN) — Two State Police troopers have been cleared in the Flint shooting death of a 17-year-old victim in November.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced just after 2 pm today (Feb. 7, 2025) that her office conducted a review of the officer-involved shooting and concluded the tro
BY MIKE KILLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT TWP. (CCN) — Two State Police troopers have been cleared in the Flint shooting death of a 17-year-old victim in November.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced just after 2 pm today (Feb. 7, 2025) that her office conducted a review of the officer-involved shooting and concluded the troopers acted in self defense and in defense of others.
Her announcement came via a press release that included a video statement you can see here.
Killed was Rayvon Shahid and A.G. Nessel's video includes photographs and video footage of the fatal incident from the body-worn cameras of the State Troopers involved in the shooting.
Community activist Art Woodson of Flint led a protest a few weeks after the early November incident, joined by dozens of others outside the State Police post on Corunna Road in Flint Township where calls went out for the family to be able to see any video available via body cam or cameras on nearby homes or buildings.
DeWaun Robinson, President of Flint's chapter of Black Lives Matter, conducted three straight days of protests a week later.
One was at the same State Police location, one was on the lawn in front of Flint City Hall and the final one was at the corner of M.L. King and Pasadena Avenue near the scene of the shooting.
Robinson called on A.G. Nessel then to issue murder charges on the two State Police Troopers.
He has not yet responded to our request for a comment on the decision by A.G. Nessel.
Woodson said, "I had a conversation with the Director of MSP along with others and his story was totally different from Dana Nessel."
No family members could be reached for comment. Woodson revealed earlier to The Morning Gazette Radio Show that the family had retained an attorney.
A.G. Nessel said a MSP Trooper observed from his patrol car an unknown individual in a ski-mask near the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and East Dewey Street in Flint. She reported that Trooper said Shahid appeared to be carrying a concealed pistol that bulged from the right side of his waistband. The Trooper relayed this to the other Trooper in his vehicle and further observed the individual acting suspiciously by hiding behind buildings on the east side of MLK Ave. Following further observation that supported their suspicion the individual was carrying a concealed handgun, the Troopers circled the block to effectuate a stop on suspicion of a firearm offense.
A.G. Nessel said the two Troopers drove south on West Essex Street to meet Shahid head-on as he walked north on the same street. She said the Troopers activated the lights atop their patrol car and exited their vehicle to effectuate a stop at 6:34 p.m. After a brief exchange about the nature of the stop, they claim Shahid reached under his jacket with his right hand, toward the area the Troopers suspected he was carrying the gun. At this point, each Trooper say they unholstered their pistols and instructed Shahid to not reach and to get on the ground. They say Shahid raised his right hand, empty, toward the Troopers, continued to back away slowly, then turned his body and ran away from them.
Both Troopers say then pursued Shahid on foot, communicating with each other about the now-visible gun Shahid carried in his right hand. One Trooper unsuccessfully attempted to deploy his taser into Shahid’s back. During the pursuit Shahid was ordered by the Troopers to “drop the gun” about 10 times during the 25-second foot chase. Shahid ran south on West Essex Street before turning northwest through residential property, frequently turning his head to observe the Troopers’ locations. As he approached Pasadena Avenue, in the direction of nearby businesses and bystanders, the Troopers fired their service pistols until Shahid collapsed on the sidewalk along Pasadena Avenue, near his pistol equipped with an extended magazine carrying 24 rounds of ammunition.
A.G. Nessel said both Troopers reported that they then immediately began to provide first-aid while waiting for emergency transportation to Hurley Medical Center where Shahid was pronounced dead.
Under MSP policy, all officer-involved shootings are first assigned to investigators from a different district than where the incident occurred. This investigation was conducted by the MSP Second District Investigative Response Team who then referred to matter the A.G. office.
A.G. Nessel said a review concluded the initial stop of Shahid was proper and legal and the use of deadly force was a justified exercise of self-defense and defense of others.
She said law enforcement officers have the lawful authority to use force to protect the public welfare, but a careful balance of the facts and the law is required. An officer’s decision about the level of force necessary to control an individual will be based on the officer’s perception of the threat and the subject’s apparent ability to carry out that threat.
Under all the facts and circumstances known to the officers on this date, they were justified in their use of deadly force in self-defense and in defense of others, She said in her video. "Law enforcement officers have the same privilege of self-defense as anyone else. Shooting a gun in self-defense requires an honest and reasonable belief that an officer is in danger of being killed or seriously injured. If that person’s belief was honest and reasonable, they can act immediately to defend themselves."
A.G. Nessel then added: "Under Michigan law, a police officer, because of his or her duty and responsibility to protect the public, is not required to retreat in the face of a display of force. In this circumstance, Shahid was determined a danger to the community and the public, by the police officers at the scene, the moment he ran with a visible gun in hand. Had the Troopers allowed Mr. Shahid to flee as he attempted, armed and in the direction of many homes and an open business all presumably populated, this would have posed a significant risk to the community. In this circumstance, two MSP Troopers were presented with a person they believed, based on their observations, training, and experience, to be armed with a concealed weapon and acting suspiciously. When the Troopers approached this person, he reached for his waistband, where the Troopers believed he concealed a weapon, and ran from the Troopers, often turning his head to spot the Troopers’ locations. He was ordered many times to drop his gun, visible to the Troopers’ during their pursuit, and never did so until being wounded by gunshot. One Trooper attempted non-lethal means to force this person to drop their weapon, unsuccessfully deploying his taser."
She said her office's review team concluded that
according to the signed statements of the Troopers, it was their contemporary opinion that Shahid’s refusal to drop his pistol throughout the pursuit indicated an intent to use the weapon against the Troopers, or others, and factored significantly into their assessment of the danger to themselves, the other Trooper on-scene, and bystanders. As the suspect continued running toward an area where more bystanders would be present while maintaining control of his pistol in his right hand, the danger to the Troopers and now the public continued to escalate until deadly force was deployed to end the pursuit.
Here, under all of the facts and circumstances presented, the Department concluded the MSP Troopers acted in defense of themselves and the public, and did not act in a manner that could substantiate criminal charges. A.G. Nessel said the MSP Troopers were justified in their initial engagement with Shahid on suspicion of concealing a weapon, justified in their pursuit of Shahid to effectuate an arrest for Resisting and Obstructing their initial engagement and to investigate a suspected firearm offence, and justified in their use of deadly force under these circumstances as an act of self-defense and defense of others.
Despite not issuing charges, A.G. Nessel said, "Nonetheless, this a tragic situation that led to the loss of a young life. The Department of Attorney General wishes to express its sincerest sympathies to the many family members and friends Mr. Shahid leaves behind."
(Click Here for Related Stories)
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Rayvon Shahid who was shot and killed by State police in November on a street in Flint.
BY GARY ANDERSON
CCN Staff Writer
FLINT (CCN) — Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson reportedly had about 400 supporters on hand Thursday night to hear him make it official that he's running to become Governor of Michigan in 2026.
He will run as a Democrat.
CCN Executive Editor Mike Killbreath called it the "worst kept secret in local histor
BY GARY ANDERSON
CCN Staff Writer
FLINT (CCN) — Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson reportedly had about 400 supporters on hand Thursday night to hear him make it official that he's running to become Governor of Michigan in 2026.
He will run as a Democrat.
CCN Executive Editor Mike Killbreath called it the "worst kept secret in local history" earlier today on The Morning Gazette Radio Show that airs weekdays at 8 am on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.
WLNS TV 6 in Lansing first reported in Wednesday, saying veteran reporter Tim Skubick had confirmed it would happen on Thursday.
Independent journalist Dave Bondy had the first local report via social media Wednesday about Skubick's scoop on the Lansing TV station.
Swanson did not respond to a text for comment to confirm or deny the report before Killbreath's radio show. Sheriff Swanson sent him an invitation to a "private event" after his radio show.
"He's one of the best around to quickly reply to our requests for a comment on anything, so I figure it was true just by that," Killbreath said on his broadcast. "Plus Tim Skubick has been around longer than my 50 years as a journalist, and he wouldn't go with it if it wasn't true."
The announcement was made on the campus of Flint's Mott Community College where Swanson earned his associate's degree.
He began his law enforcement career at the Genesee County Sheriff's Department at age 18 after graduating from Grand Blanc High School. Swanson worked his way up to become Captain, then Under-Sheriff before being appointed as Sheriff when Bob Pickell retired in 2019. Swanson ran for election in 2020 and won by a landslide margin, then was re-elected in November 2024 by another landslide vote.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced last week that she was officially in the field to seek the nomination by the Democrat Party. Swanson is the second candidate to make it official on the Democrat side although current Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and current Michigan Attorney General Dan Nessel are other potential faces that could join the race.
The only Republican candidate to so far to announce he's officially in the contest is State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesibtt — a former Michigan Lottery Commissioner.
Mike Cox has put up $1 million of his own money for an exploratory committee. He served eight years as Michigan's first Republican Attorney General in nearly 50 years when elected in 2002. He's now in private practice. Cox served more than 20 years as a homicide prosecutor in Detroit before going to Lansing as A.G.
The last two local names from Genesee County to be mentioned as potential candidates for Governor were Dan Kildee of Flint Township and John Cherry Jr. of Clio.
Kildee ran instead for the U.S. Congress and won in 2012. Cherry, a former State Senator, was considered a potential candidate near the end of his eight-year run as Lieutenant Governor under Jennifer Granholm from 2003 until 2011. He opted not to run when unable to raise enough money to make a serious bid.
Former Fenton Township Clerk and long-time state legislator Charles Mueller of Linden was considered a top challenger for the Republican nomination in the 1991 gubernatorial election eventually won by John Engler after Mueller lost his 1990 primary race for re-election as State Rep.
(See Related Story Above in Opinion Column)
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson who announced Thursday that he is running for Governor of Michigan in 2026.
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This online daily
Our team of journalists and editors are passionate about their work and committed to delivering the highest standards of journalism. We believe in the power of storytelling and investigative work.
Crusader Communications Network Inc. (CCN) operates The Daily Gazette, FAME NEWSPAPERS, CCN TV and Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.
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Here's a quick peek at other headlines inside today's edition of The Daily Gazette:
Mundy Twp chaos reaches FBI as citizen leader of Facebook page opposing Mega Site reveals threats
Water man Bob Stewart passes away at age 81; businessman, scientist crusaded for safe water
Multiple sources say meteorologists lose jobs at ABC TV 12 as media giant Allen Media continues cuts
See headlines under photo of Kendyl Smith of Flint Powers reaching 1,000 points
Former popular local radio personality Wally Kennedy passes away at Philadelphia home
Crim Festival of Races issues Facebook post honoring Clio's 'Drubbler'
Local entertainer, talented musician, teacher Dave Kimber of Burton passes away
Former Township Trustee, long-time owner of Grand Blanc Appliance passes away at age 57
Long-time Burton businessman, city councilman Tom Martinbianco passes away at age 72
Long-time former operator at White Horse Tavern in Downtown Flint passes away
BD's Mongolian Grill shuts its doors after many years on Miller Road in Flint Twp
Ashley Capital announces GM parts supplier as potential first tenant for old Buick City site
Signs go up to signal Cotsco wholesale store appears poised to locate in Mundy Twp
Senor Lucky's abruptly closes in Davison after 30-year run as popular Mexican restaurant
MARTY EMBRY: From basketball court to kitchen one journey Marty Embry would do all over again
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announces she's running in 2026 for Governor of Michigan
Attorney General team argues in state court that Line 5 should be shut down in Straits of Mackinac
New solar deal between General Motors and North Star Clean Energy brightens Lansing's green future
Michigan included in landmark EPA climate investment
The Onion buys Infowars in bankruptcy court for Sandy Hook victims to 'silence' Alex Jones
CIA official arrested for leaking secrets about Israel's scheduled retaliatory strikes on Iran
Kentucky judge shot dead by local Sheriff after argument inside courthouse
Special meeting set to determine salary of new Mundy Twp Deputy Supervisor Dave Huffman
Dave Huffman sworn in as new Deputy Supervisor in Mundy Twp as fireworks continue there
Amanda Odette selected as Flushing Township Attorney under conditions not to use Jack Belzer
Mundy Twp board may consider ending ambulance contract over death in Flint
Dave Huffman sworn in as new Deputy Supervisor in Mundy Twp as fireworks continue there
Mundy Twp board may consider ending ambulance contract over death in Flint
Mott Foundation donates $10 million to refurbish, re-open old Beecher High School building
Mott Foundation donates $10 million to refurbish, re-open old Beecher High School building
MORE SPORTS SECTION STORIES:
LOCAL SPORTS SECTION HEADLINES:
Sports programs this week on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio
Junior Kendyl Smith reaches 1,000 point plateau as Powers girls' win; Frankenmuth also rolls
Mott Bears roll in junior college basketball behind double-double of Kevin Tiggs Jr.
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Click Here for our podcast replay of Friday's program. Host Mike Killbreath breaks down the chances of Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson becoming Governor.
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