Suspect apprehended in fatal shooting incident

Facing five felony charges; Up to Life without parole

 

ALMONT TWP. — The Almont community was rocked early Wednesday, November 5 when reports of a shooting at a township business started to circulate.

Almont police responded to Trims Unlimited, located on Van Dyke Rd. (M-53) just north of the intersection of Dryden Rd., shortly after 8:30 a.m., having received reports of a shooting at the business.

“This is a tragedy for everyone,” said Almont Chief Daniel Willis. “Our hearts go out to all the folks at the business and certainly, to the victim’s family. But, this hit hard for our department and the entire community as well. Thankfully, this is not something we experience very often out here.”

Chief Willis said about the same time his units arrived on scene, a call had gone out with a description of the suspect, the vehicle he had fled in and direction of travel. Within minutes, officers were investigating at the same time the suspect was spotted on the freeway.”

According to police, the 32-year-old man from Columbus in Macomb County allegedly shot Logan Welch at Trims Unlimited last Wednesday morning. The suspect then reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle.

Welch was rushed from the scene to McLaren Regional Hospital by Lapeer County EMS for treatment of a gunshot wound but did not survive the shooting.

Imlay City police officers were in the area of I-69, just south of town, looking for the suspect vehicle.

“One of our officers was on the freeway and encountered the vehicle,” said Imlay City PD Sgt. Sean Leathers.

“Thankfully, the officer kept his distance and was in contact with Central Dispatch, giving them details of the locations until more back-up arrived.”

The chase traveled west from M-53 to Lake Pleasant Rd. where the suspect exited and went south on Lake Pleasant.

“A Lapeer County unit was coming up the ramp at the same time,” Sgt. Leathers explained.

“Once our officer had back-up with him, he activated his emergency lights and the chase accelerated south.”

Police say the suspect vehicle made a right turn on to Sutton where he encountered law enforcement approaching from both the west and east.

Michigan State Police Troopers and Lapeer County Sheriff Deputies encountered the suspect after vehicles came to a stop near the intersection of Sutton and Wilder Rd. in Lapeer Twp.

Although authorities have not yet released details of what all transpired at the stop, two deputies fired their department issued sidearms, striking the victim.

Per department policy, the deputies were placed on paid administrative leave following the incident.

Chief Willis said witnesses at the business reported, “one loud bang” after the suspect entered the building around 8:30 a.m.

“The suspect was known to the victim,” Chief Willis stated. He would not confirm if both men worked at the business.

According to court records, William Channer of Columbus in Macomb County (near Richmond) was arraigned last Friday on five charges related to the shooting death of 30-year-old Logan Welch.

Channer is facing charges of: first-degree premeditated murder; carrying a concealed weapon without a permit; possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; third-degree fleeing and eluding a police officer and using a firearm to commit a felony. All five counts are felony charges, according to Almont Chief Willis.

According to records from the arraignment, Channer stood mute in Lapeer County District Court and a not guilty plea was recorded on his behalf. He remains remanded at the Lapeer County Jail after request for bail was denied.

Channer, was hospitalized for three days following the incident, and is now facing up to life in prison with no chance of parole, if he is convicted by a jury.

The Grand Blanc community is now left to mourn the loss of another member of the tight-knit community, after receiving news last Wednesday of Welch’s passing following the shooting.

Welch, who coached football at a Grand Blanc Middle School, died at an area hospital after the shooting Wednesday.

Officials connected with Grand Blanc Community Schools say Welch played football for the district and later returned to work as coach of the seventh-grade football team in 2020.

“He always shared how much he loved having the privilege to coach kids in their formative years and pour back into the community he grew up in,” says a post on the Grand Blanc West Football Facebook page.

According to Lt. Kim Vetter of the Michigan State Police, five police patrol cars sustained damage during the chase, which ended in the 2000 block of East Sutton Road, north of Metamora.

The suspect engaged in an armed confrontation with police, leading two Lapeer County sheriff deputies to firing gunshots at him.

“The suspect was hospitalized in unknown but stable condition with gunshot wounds after the incident,” Lt. Vetter said at a press conference. “Three law enforcement officers went to area hospitals for precautionary checkups after airbags went off in their patrol cars during the chase.”

Sgt. Leathers said two Imlay City police units were damaged during the pursuit, along with other PD units from Dryden Twp., MSP and Lapeer County.

Police are unable to release further information due to the incident being an active investigation. Chief Willis anticipates a press release could be forthcoming, once a preliminary examination for Channer is held.

The Almont Police Department continues to investigate the scene at Trims Unlimited while MSP continues their investigation into the scene of the shooting in Lapeer Twp. where the suspect was apprehended.