Lansing, Michigan – A Michigan man is facing a long list of felony charges after prosecutors say he disarmed multiple police officers and shot one during a violent struggle in April of last year.
On Friday, August 8, 30-year-old Andrial Ortiz appeared in Lansing’s 54A District Court, where he was formally arraigned on 17 felony counts connected to the April 10, 2024, incident. Authorities say the confrontation began during a traffic stop in the rear parking lot of an apartment complex near Holmes Road and Pleasant Grove Road.
According to investigators, Lansing Police Department officers searched Ortiz’s vehicle with his consent and discovered what they believed to be narcotics. When officers attempted to arrest him, Ortiz allegedly resisted, leading to a prolonged struggle both on foot and on the ground.
During that struggle, Ortiz is accused of attempting to take a service pistol from one officer’s holster, then successfully removing another officer’s firearm from their belt. Police say the weapon was quickly recovered by another officer. However, the conflict did not end there. Ortiz allegedly disarmed an officer a second time, firing a single shot that struck an officer in the leg.
Another officer then returned fire, hitting Ortiz below the knee. Both Ortiz and the injured officer received medical attention on the scene before being taken to the hospital. Ortiz survived his injuries, and a review by the Michigan Attorney General’s office later determined that the officer’s use of force was legally justified.
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Attorney General Dana Nessel called the alleged actions “incredibly reckless,” stressing the danger posed to both officers and the public.
“My office is committed to ensuring police can do their jobs as safely as possible, and we will work to hold this individual accountable in the courts,” Nessel said.
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The charges against Ortiz include resisting and obstructing a police officer causing serious impairment, multiple counts of disarming and attempting to disarm a police officer, firearm possession by a prohibited person, resisting and obstructing causing injury, and eight counts of felony firearm, second offense. As a Habitual Fourth Offender, Ortiz faces enhanced penalties if convicted.
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Magistrate Laura Millmore set bond at $100,000. Ortiz is scheduled for a probable cause conference on August 22, followed by a preliminary examination before Judge Cynthia Ward on August 29.