Kalamazoo Officer Eric Zapata Shot & Killed Responding to Call, Suspect Dies from Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata fatally killed in line of duty by Leonard Statler in alley.

Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata was shot & killed by Leonard Statler responding to a call at a home around 11:30 p.m. Monday night. According to Officer Down Memorial Page, Officer Zapata was shot and killed after responding to reports of a shots fired call on Hays Avenue.

Another officer had also responded to the call and approached a man standing on porch. As the officer asked the man if he had heard any shots the man suddenly pulled out a gun and exchanged shots with the officer.

The subject then ran in between two houses where he confronted Officer Zapata. More shots were exchanged and Officer Zapata was struck in the head and chest. The man then committed suicide. Source: ODMP

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Officer Zapata, who served on the Kalamazoo force for 10 years. It is a shame that we continue to lose our law enforcement agents, who are there to protect the public.