A body camera still image showing a man pointing a handgun at a Walker Police detective who then shot and injured the man on Sept. 9. The suspect later led police on a chase while driving a stolen U-Haul truck, crashing into several police cruisers (Walker Police Department)

WALKER, MI -- Police released body cam video showing a West Michigan officer firing at an armed man who later, while wounded, led police on a chaotic chase in a stolen U-Haul truck that crashed into several cruisers.

The body cam video was released as Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker ruled the Sept. 9 shooting was justified.

The 11-second video clip shows a man, now identified as 36-year-old Robert Gallup of Kentwood, jump off a home’s wooden deck and start to flee. Walker police went to the Cedar Run Court house for an investigation into a stolen motorcycle.

As he fled, Gallup escapes the grasp of a Walker police detective and runs across a yard. The video shows him briefly pointing a handgun at the detective.

The video was released without audio, but it shows what appears to be the detective firing at Gallup.

Gallup escaped and police initiated a manhunt. Police said he ditched a Dodge Avenger and fled on foot in the area of Wilson Avenue and Butterworth Street SW. He then swam the Grand River. Later, after allegedly stealing a U-Haul truck parked at a residence, he led police on a chase that involved crashes with several cruisers.

During the chase along Jenison neighborhood streets, an Ottawa County sheriff’s deputy fired shots before the U-Haul truck crashed. Gallup was then taken into custody.

Related: Man wounded as police fire upon him during incident ending with chaotic chase of stolen U-Haul

According to a probable cause affidavit in court records, Walker police wrote that while Gallup was fleeing at the Cedar Run Court address, he pulled a handgun from his waistband. He pointed it at the detective “stating he was going to shoot him.”

Police wrote that the detective then fired three rounds, striking Gallup in the elbow.

A detective interviewed Gallup on Sept. 11 and he allegedly admitted to possessing a black handgun and pointing it in the direction of the detective at the Cedar Run Court address.

Ottawa County Prosecutor Lee Fisher, in a separate ruling, also cleared the Ottawa County sheriff’s deputy. He said evidence shows Gallup actually fired his gun at the Cedar Run Court address and admitted it in a police interview.

Fisher wrote that Gallup also told police he was under the influence of methamphetamines and Xanax on Sept. 9.

After the U-Haul was stolen -- with the back door open and ramp still down -- Gallup intentionally struck numerous police vehicles in his effort to flee, according to Fisher’s report. The pursuit of the U-Haul, which had furniture and boxes flying out the back, lasted nearly 30 minutes.

At about 2:30 p.m., Gallup stopped the U-Haul and backed it quickly toward two Ottawa County sheriff’s cruisers. The U-Haul first struck one cruiser and then another which was further back, injuring the deputy in the second cruiser.

Fisher wrote that the U-Haul then went forward toward the deputy in the first cruiser. That deputy had exited the cruiser by that time.

The deputy drew his gun and fired two rounds at the oncoming U-Haul from about 20 feet away. One round struck the driver’s side rear-view mirror and it wasn’t clear where the other round went.

Gallup was not struck, but ended up crashing into a tree moments later. He was then taken into custody.

Fisher wrote that the deputy was justified in firing his weapon.

“It is my opinion that the actions of (the deputy), in firing his service pistol, were reasonable in the extreme situation he faced to protect himself, fellow officers, and members of the public,” Fisher wrote.

Gallup was arraigned Wednesday in Walker District Court on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, firearms possession by a felon, felonious assault, resisting and obstructing police and third-degree fleeing from police.

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