Full Breakdown
Washtenaw County Deputies’ Fatal Shooting of John Jenuwine Sparks Scrutiny of Police Pursuit Policies
6/18/2026, 9:11:36 PM
Fatal Shooting of John Andrew Jenuwine
In the early hours of January 6, 2026, two 911 callers near Ypsilanti, Michigan, reported a white van driving erratically. Within an hour, deputies located the van, intentionally collided with it twice, and executed a PIT maneuver that flipped the vehicle. Less than 15 minutes after the vehicle was identified, officers fired 27 shots; seven struck the driver, 34-year-old Navy veteran John Andrew Jenuwine. An independent autopsy concluded he died from blood loss over several minutes, not a single bullet wound. The van remained on fire while Jenuwine lay inside, and no emergency medical assistance was requested.
Background and Policy Context
Following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office issued a memo aligning its practices with activist-driven reforms. In 2022, the department’s use-of-force policy classified intentional vehicle collisions (PIT maneuvers) as deadly force. Michigan’s 2024 statewide guidelines further restricted vehicle pursuits to protect bystanders. The department’s 2022 policy also required verbal warnings, de-escalation techniques, and mandatory medical evaluation when force caused injury.
Key Figures and Agencies
- John Andrew Jenuwine – victim, Navy veteran and industrial field engineer.
- Sheriff Alyshia Dyer – head of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
- Deputies Jacob Gombos and Jonathan Early – two of the officers who fired. Both received the department’s 2024 Life-Saving Award.
- Maura Battersby – attorney for the Jenuwine family.
- Todd Flood – lead attorney for the family.
- Michigan State Police – conducted the investigation, now closed.
- Michigan Attorney General’s Office – reviewing the case for possible criminal charges.
Timeline of Events
- Early Jan 6, 2026 – 911 calls report erratic van.
- ? 1 hour later – deputies locate and intentionally collide with the van twice.
- < 15 minutes – shooting begins; 27 shots fired.
- ? 5 minutes – Jenuwine remains inside, officers discuss his condition without calling for aid.
- 17 hours later – family contacts deputies; receives claim of an exchange of gunfire.
- 2024 – Gombos and Early receive Life-Saving Awards; whistleblower lawsuits filed against the sheriff’s office.
- 2025 – Michigan State Police close investigation; case forwarded to the Attorney General.
Data and Statistics
- 27 shots fired; 7 struck Jenuwine.
- 2 intentional PIT collisions.
- 15 minutes elapsed between identification and shooting.
- 5+ minutes Jenuwine lay dying in the burning vehicle.
- No firearm recovered from the van.
Official Statements and Agency Responses
A deputy told the Jenuwine parents that their son had exchanged gunfire and possessed a weapon—claims later contradicted by the absence of any gun. The sheriff’s office placed the involved deputies on paid administrative leave pending investigation. Michigan State Police confirmed their probe was closed and referred further questions to the Attorney General, who has not commented publicly. Both the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Ypsilanti Police Department declined comment when approached.
Criticism and Opposition
Family attorneys argue the deputies violated the 2022 policy by failing to issue verbal warnings, neglecting de-escalation, and not providing medical aid. Whistleblower plaintiffs allege the department hired unqualified officers and retaliated against those who raised concerns. Former staff cite repeated controversies involving Sheriff Dyer, including a 2023 investigation after a partially burned cannabis cigarette was found in her county-issued vehicle.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
- Police initially reported an exchange of gunfire and that Jenuwine was armed; no weapon was found.
- Autopsy indicates death from bleeding, not a single bullet.
- Dash-cam footage shows a 30-second timestamp jump before the PIT maneuver, obscuring the exact sequence.
- Officers discussed Jenuwine’s condition but did not request emergency medical services.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were told that there was an exchange of gunfire, and that John was killed.” — Larry Jenuwine, father
- “The cruelty of it, I suppose, is what strikes me the most,” — Maura Battersby, family attorney
- “That’s something you’re trained not to do,” — Todd Flood, lead attorney for the Jenuwines
- “I want the people that executed my son to never have the opportunity to work in law enforcement again,” — Kelly Jenuwine, mother
- “They ran around with those guns like they were playing video games, guns held sideways,” — Larry Jenuwine, father
- “I would have expected them to be calling out over the loudspeaker,” — Maura Battersby, family attorney
Why It Matters
The incident tests the practical impact of post-2020 police reforms and Michigan’s pursuit restrictions. It raises questions about the classification of PIT maneuvers as deadly force, the adequacy of de-escalation training, and accountability mechanisms within the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
What’s Next
The Michigan Attorney General’s office will review the closed state police investigation and decide whether to file criminal charges. The Jenuwine family’s wrongful-death lawsuit seeks damages and policy reforms. Outcomes may prompt revisions to the sheriff’s department’s use-of-force and pursuit guidelines.
