A local family has reportedly called the shooting of a
man who allegedly forced his way into a child-care
center unjustified.
The family of Robert VanBuren, 35, along with Attorney Geoffrey Fieger announced Thursday they are filing a $65 million suit against the Plymouth Township Police Department for the shooting that occurred last Friday.
The family said they want to dispel what they believe are lies told about him following the shooting.
"The things that have come out in the press and the media have been so incredibly hurtful in a time of already grief and bereavement," said Teri VanBuren Moran, Robert's sister.
VanBuren was shot after he scuffled with Plymouth Township officers who were trying to restrain him inside the day-care center at the Church of the Nazarene, according to reports.
Police used their nightsticks and twice fired a stun gun to attempt to stop VanBuren, Local 4 reported.
"He was attacking our officers. Our officers were fighting for their lives," said Chief Thomas Tiderington, of the Plymouth Township Police Department.
Church staff say VanBuren was searching for a man named John.
Gale Reno, a church secretary, said she ripped a piece of the man's shirt off while trying to prevent him from entering the center.
"He was just very strong, very determined. He shoved me aside and as he walked past me, that's when I grabbed his shirt and tried to hold him back, but it was just a white T-shirt," said Reno. "He turned around and looked at me and then he just turned forward and just kept on walking and literally the shirt was ripped off of him and was left hanging in my hand."
Police think VanBuren was delusional, believing he was a biblical character himself.
Family members say he did not think of himself as a biblical character. They also denied reports that VanBuren appeared to be under the influence of drugs. According to family members, he was a health nut and did not drink or do drugs.
VanBuren's family says he was a very religious man and had come to the church to pray.
Fieger said when VanBuren couldn't get into the church, he tried all the doors and that's why he ended up at the child-care center.
Fieger said that VanBuren was unarmed and never threatened the children or anyone else at the facility. He believes Plymouth Township police used unnecessary force.
"In America in the year 2004, you may not kill someone for resisting arrest," said Fieger.
The chief of the Plymouth Township Police Department Police Department could not comment on the case, but said his sympathies go out to the family.
Michigan State police are conducting an investigation of the incident. Plymouth Township police are also conducting an internal investigation. The results are expected to be turned in to the Wayne County Prosecutor's office.