MONTMORENCY COUNTY – Early Thursday morning, April 13, 2023, a deputy from the Montmorency County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop near Lewiston.
According to a statement from the Michigan State Police, the driver, 56-year-old Keith Kelly Howard from Lewiston, fled and a short pursuit was initiated. Howard’s vehicle became disabled, and he fled on foot. As Howard fled on foot, he turned and fired an unknown number of rounds towards the deputy.
Additional law enforcement units responded to the scene, including deputies from the Oscoda County Sheriff’s Office, troopers from the MSP Alpena and Gaylord Posts, MSP Canine Teams, MSP Emergency Support Team (EST) and the MSP Aviation Unit.
The investigation led law enforcement to an address on County Road 491. The MSP EST set up a perimeter at the residence and began negotiating with Howard. Howard surrendered at approximately 7:20 a.m.
The Johannesburg-Lewiston area schools were closed as a precautionary measure.
Howard was arraigned today in the 88th District Court in Montmorency County on one count Assault with Intent to Murder, one count Possession of Firearm by a Felon, one count Felony Weapons Charge, and one count Flee and Elude. Bond was set at $500,000.
His next scheduled court appearance is on May 5, 2023.
