19-year-old Eric Knysz was charged with murder on Wednesday in the shooting death of state trooper Paul Butterfield near Ludington Michigan, the Associated Press reported.
Knysz's wife Sarah was also charged with helping him try to get away. She was also due in court on Wednesday.
Butterfield was shot in the head by Knysz at a traffic stop on Monday in Mason County's Sherman Township, which is about 80 miles north of Grand Rapids, news reports said. Knysz has been charged with murder, and three other crimes, and faces a mandatory no-parole sentence if he is convicted.
"Good paying job trimming trees, wife that is pregnant, just moved into their own place," Knysz family friend Demo Moore said. "Things were looking up. Then this happens."
Knysz was injured while exchanging gunfire with police as officers closed in on the couple some 15 miles from where Butterfield had been shot, the AP reported. Knysz is expected to appear in court Thursday. Records have indicated that he has a criminal record, which include that includes home invasion, a felony, in Lake County, records show.
The shooter's father is also a former police officer. He said the family was incredibly remorseful for their son's alleged actions.
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