Swordsman shot after he threatened police

A Waterford Township man was hospitalized in serious condition after he was shot by township police when he allegedly attacked them with a martial arts sword on Thursday, Aug. 25.

According to police reports, officers responded to the Eagles Landing Subdivision at 1:25 a.m. after a family member called 9-1-1. The 25-year-old subject was reportedly off his medication, wielding the 2-foot-long sword and cutting up and damaging the home.

When police arrived on the scene, the subject had left the home on foot with the sword in tow. Officers located the subject, who allegedly confronted police by brandishing the sword and holding it above his head.

Police report the man asked officers to shoot him and then proceeded to attack them by swinging the sword. One of the officers deployed a Taser while another fired his gun, striking the subject near his right hip.

Police found a second sword on the man.

The subject was transported to a local hospital where he remains in serious condition.

The investigation is ongoing. Apparently the subject has a history of problems and has used or threatened to use cutting instruments in the past.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the officers acted responsibly and professionally given the confrontation, according to a Waterford police press release.