In a tense confrontation that turned deadly within seconds, a Berrien County deputy was forced to open fire after a suspect pulled a gun during what started as a routine encounter.
It all happened on June 30, 2025, in Berrien County, Michigan. Deputy Cal Landon of the Sheriff’s Office approached a vehicle parked suspiciously on private property. Inside was 48-year-old Joshua Coffey of South Bend, Indiana, and a woman whose identity remains under wraps.
What started as a request for ID quickly spiraled. Instead of complying, Coffey bolted on foot, leading Deputy Landon into a nearby park. That’s where things took a chilling turn.
Bodycam footage—now in the hands of investigators—shows Coffey appearing to surrender before shockingly whipping out a gun and firing two shots at the deputy. At that moment, Landon was armed only with his taser. Somehow, he managed to switch to his service weapon just in time—returning fire and fatally striking Coffey on the spot.
Within moments, Deputy Sabrina LaRatta arrived on scene. She found Coffey already deceased, his finger still on the trigger.
The woman seen with Coffey before the incident has since been located, though investigators are keeping tight-lipped as the case remains active.
As per protocol, Deputy Landon has been placed on administrative leave while authorities review the incident.
Watch the full video below for the raw footage of how this deadly encounter unfolded.
