Officers Cleared of Battle Creek Man's Death in Boyne City

Authorities involved in the shooting death of a Battle Creek man in Charlevoix County in October have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

County Prosecutor Allen Telgenhof released a statement on November 7^th that detailed the incidents before, during and after the death of 27-year-old Johnathan Slattery on October 26^th near Boyne City.

An officer with Boyne City Police and a county deputy were able to find Slattery a few hours after a caller stated that Slattery left a home and was planning on committing suicide. He was found by authorities near an old hotel at M-75 and US-131, using cell phone “pings” and finally an air horn that he possessed.

The report stated that authorities struggled to arrest Slattery, who disobeyed commands and did not resist when tased. Authorities then spotted Slattery with a gun after he ran behind a car in the parking lot of the hotel. Video from officer body cams and witnesses all identified that Slattery fired first before officers fired their weapons. Authorities learned that the weapon Slattery possessed was licensed to him.

Slattery had moved to Battle Creek almost a year ago after spending a majority of his life in Texas. According to the report, Slattery had recently been a resident at a transition home.

A Facebook fundraiser by the Slattery family was posted on October 27^th for funeral costs, with the goal accomplished in 12 days.