More details released on suspect shot by deputy.

From left: Forner, Cole, Mast

More details released on suspect shot by deputy.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief and Allison Scarbrough, Oceana County Press Editor.

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast and Michigan State Police Hart Post Assistant Commander Lt. John Forner met with representatives from the news media Friday afternoon, Sept. 9, to discuss the police-involved shooting of a home invasion suspect. 

Sheriff Cole confirmed that Harold Raymond Labeau, 51, was shot in the hip by a Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputy just after noon Friday on Lakeshore Drive near Oceana Drive on the Mason County side of the border between Mason and Oceana counties. The incident took place near the Wishing Well convenience store.

Labeau was wanted on six felony counts from the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office in relation to a home invasion and assault that took place Wednesday, Sept. 7 in Oceana County’s Golden Township. See related story here.

Earlier today, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office released Labeau’s name along with a police mugshot and video still images of him. At 11:24 a.m. today, a resident in the Bass Lake area called Mason-Oceana 911 reporting a suspicious person who fit the description of Labeau, Cole said. A Mason County deputy arrived on the scene at 11:31 a.m. and began searching for the suspect, Cole said. At 11:50 a.m. the deputy reported that he was in a foot pursuit and, at 12:01 p.m., reported shots fired.

“At 12:03 p.m. an additional deputy arrived to find the initial deputy in an active gunfight with the suspect,” Cole said. The suspect was then shot in the hip disabling him. Cole said deputies provided first aid to Labeau until EMS arrived on scene. He was then transported by Life EMS ambulance to Trinity Health in Muskegon.

Cole said the deputies involved in the shooting were in uniform, on duty and in marked sheriff’s office vehicles. He said the deputy who fired the shots that disabled Labeau was taken to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital where he was examined and then cleared, with no injuries. Cole said that deputy has been placed on paid leave of absence until the investigation is closed. Cole said he has requested Michigan State Police take over investigation of the case.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7 Labeau allegedly broke into a residence in Golden Township.

Mast reported that an 81-year-old woman fired a round at a masked man armed with a weapon, possibly a crowbar, who broke into her and her 84-year-old husband’s home during the night.

Mast said Labeau made statements to witnesses that he is aware law enforcement is after him and he will go down shooting.

Labeau was last seen carrying the backpack in the picture and a black button down shirt with blue jeans.

The armed robbery occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the 5000 block of West Fox Road.

Mast said Labeau broke into the residence and proceeded to assault and rob the homeowners, and the homeowner produced a firearm.

“He broke in with possibly a crow bar” by smashing a glass sliding door.

The woman fired a round at the suspect but missed, and the suspect disarmed her.

“It sounds like a struggle ensued and the gentleman received some laceration type of injuries.” The elderly man received a cut to the front and to the back of his head and was bleeding.

The suspect then stole money and valuables from the couple and took off in their 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Jeep was recovered at noon Wednesday in the City of Hart, said Mast.

After the suspect fled in their vehicle, the couple called 911. “Deputies came; detectives came; Life EMS came and transported the gentleman for treatment for his injuries. Deputies scoured the area, searching for any evidence, the suspect, the vehicles, etc.”

The elderly man was transported to an area hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries.

In Oceana County, Labeau is charged with armed robbery, which is punishable by up the life in prison; first-degree home invasion, which carries a 20-year maximum; larceny of a firearm, which is a five-year felony; and three counts of felony firearm, each of which are punishable by up to two years in prison, said Sheriff Mast. Felony firearm is the act of committing a felony while in possession of a firearm. He is being charged as a four-time habitual offender.

Law enforcement units on scene on Lakeshore Drive included MSP, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, and Ludington Police Department.

Mast said that Labeau is no stranger to Oceana County law enforcement. In 2017, he was arrested by Michigan State Police on two felony counts of possession of child sexually abusive material and one felony count of using a computer to commit to crime.

In 2017, Labeau was convicted in Oceana County circuit court on charges of using a computer to commit a crime, three counts of breaking and entering a building with intent, and attempted breaking and entering a building with intent. He was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison and released on Feb. 5, 2022. In 2001, he was convicted in Oceana County for controlled substance – delivery/manufacture of marijuana. He was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison and was discharged in 2004.

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