Flint police officer shot multiple times trying to stop assault

FLINT, Mich. — A Flint police officer is in stable condition after being shot multiple times Tuesday night, according to a news release from the city.

It happened March 31, 2026, around 9:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of Colonial Lane. Authorities say the officer was attempting to stop the suspect from assaulting his ex-girlfriend with a gun.

Officer Michael Catlin was taken to a local hospital by fellow officers and was initially listed in critical condition. Authorities said he has since been upgraded to stable condition. Catlin has been with the department for two and a half years.

“I must say if it haven’t have been for [Officer Catlin’s] heroic act and also his due diligence in trying to take this violent criminal off the street the victim, the ex-girlfriend, could have been killed or [could have] suffered great bodily injury,” said Flint Police Chief Terrence Greene. “They basically saved the victim’s life last night.”

Police had been searching for the primary suspect in connection with domestic violence and had obtained felony warrants for his arrest. The suspect was taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit. Authorities said the suspect sustained serious injuries after being struck by a police vehicle during the pursuit. A second suspect remains at large, and police are still working to determine that person’s identity, according to Greene.

The suspect is a 47-year-old Flint man who had previously been charged with homicide. “He had been threatening to shoot it out with police,” Greene said.

Catlin was part of a surveillance detail that included four other officers conducting spot checks at the victim’s parents’ home after the victim reported the suspect had been stalking the residence. When Catlin arrived on the scene, he witnessed the suspect hitting his ex-girlfriend with a gun. As Catlin was exiting his vehicle, the suspect fired a gun, striking him several times. Catlin returned fire before the suspect fled in a vehicle, according to Greene.

The Michigan State Police are leading the investigation into the shooting, and the Flint Police Department is conducting a parallel internal investigation.

Green thanked multiple agencies for their response, including the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Burton Police Department, Flint Township Police Department and the University of Michigan–Flint Department of Public Safety.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Leddy of the Michigan State Police Special Investigative Section. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-5245, use the P3 Tips mobile app, or visit crimestoppersofflint.com.