Homie Decided To Bring A Knife To A Gun Fight In Kalamazoo, It Didn't End Well

A Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Deputy shot and killed a man Monday morning at a Shell gas station, according to Undersheriff James VanDyken.

The incident happened around 2:45 a.m. at the Shell located on 35th Street in Galesburg.

In a news conference Monday afternoon, the sheriff's office released an audio recording of the 911 call, along with body-cam video of the incident that shows what led to the deadly shooting.

The incident started with RV Johnson, 22, of Galesburg telling staff at the Shell gas station he needed to call 911. In the recording, he's heard telling the 911 dispatcher that he wants authorities to come to the station.

When the Kalamazoo County deputy, a more than 20-year veteran on the force whose name has not been released, arrived, the situation escalated quickly. Sheriff Rick Fuller said the deputy didn't know he was going to be confronted. Johnson is seen in the body-cam video lunging at the deputy with a knife multiple times.

The deputy tells Johnson to put his weapon down multiple times and when Johnson lunges again, the deputy shoots him once.

Authorities tried lifesaving measures but Johnson died on scene.

"To talk about what levels of force are used in any circumstance, that ultimately really comes from a full investigation," said Sheriff Fuller. "We have been with the family this morning and I can tell you they are suffering this loss and this is very tragic."

Fuller said this was the first time Johnson had an encounter with law enforcement.

The involved deputy was not hurt in the incident. Michigan State Police is now handling the investigation.