Kalamazoo officer shot, killed on duty

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Police: Suspect died from self-inflicted gunshot

Updated: Tuesday, 19 Apr 2011, 11:30 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 19 Apr 2011, 2:23 AM EDT
By Tony Tagliavia



KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - A Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer was shot and killed while investigating a report of shots fired on the city's south side Monday night, the department announced Tuesday morning.

Eric Zapata was a 10-year veteran of the department. The 35-year-old was wearing body armor when he was shot in the chest and head, Chief Jeff Hadley said.

This is the department's first officer to be killed in the line of duty.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Leonard "Danny" Statler of Kalamazoo. Hadley said Statler shot Officer Zapata and later died at the scene near the 1400 block of Hays Park Avenue, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot.

The department said Statler had exchanged gunfire with another officer before running in between homes in the area and then confronting Zapata.


It happened a few months ago but still hits very deep. RIP Zapata :(