GRAND RAPIDS -
In a police report, Deputy Ryan Huizenga describes the night of March 11th when he shot an unarmed Grand Valley student in the chest.
Huizenga, a 12 year Ottawa County Sheriff's Department veteran granted a police interview seven days after the shooting.
He told Detective Lieutenant Curt Schram that the raid was based on several undercover drug buys from Derek Copp and his roommate Conor Bardallis.
Huizenga said he initially was set to use a battering ram to get through the door, but realized the slider door was open, so he "drew his handgun from its holster."
It's the kind of raid Huizenga's done several times. But in the interview, the deputy says he saw the opposite of what he expected.
Huizenga announced, "Police, search warrant."
Derek Copp came to the slider door suddenly and quickly pulled open the curtain.
Then Huizenga said, "From what I can remember, it was, you know, throw the curtain open, the door comes open, and then he's kind of over to the right, and he's in, in the doorway, and then a hand comes up in an abrupt.."
"Did you see anything in his hand?" Asked Schram.
"Ah no, I mean it happened too fast, I couldn't," Huizenga told the police.
Derek Copp had said that a flashlight blinded him, so he raised his arm to block the light.
After that, Huizenga's department-issued glock went off.
"He's unarmed and I hit him," Huizenga said.
"So I started saying, ah sh--, you know, oh sh-- I hit him, he's hit."
According to the report, Huizenga ran over to perform first aid on Copp and comfort him.
Later Huizenga said, "I guess it was a, ah, a reaction to being startled by his actions."
Wednesday the deputy pled guilty to a lesser charge, a 90 day misdemeanor, but was sentenced to probation.
The original charge was tied to the placement of Huizenga's trigger finger.
According to the report, Huizenga didn't recall his finger going onto the trigger but prior to Copp opening the door, he knows it was on the slide.
Huizenga's still waiting to find out if he'll be returned to active status at the Sheriff's Department.
Copp has pleaded guilty to a four year marijuana charge.
The State Police says the raid actually stemmed from a robbery investigation. The West Michigan Enforcement Team got involved and followed the drug trail, which led to the apartment.
Huizenga, a 12 year Ottawa County Sheriff's Department veteran granted a police interview seven days after the shooting.
He told Detective Lieutenant Curt Schram that the raid was based on several undercover drug buys from Derek Copp and his roommate Conor Bardallis.
Huizenga said he initially was set to use a battering ram to get through the door, but realized the slider door was open, so he "drew his handgun from its holster."
It's the kind of raid Huizenga's done several times. But in the interview, the deputy says he saw the opposite of what he expected.
Huizenga announced, "Police, search warrant."
Derek Copp came to the slider door suddenly and quickly pulled open the curtain.
Then Huizenga said, "From what I can remember, it was, you know, throw the curtain open, the door comes open, and then he's kind of over to the right, and he's in, in the doorway, and then a hand comes up in an abrupt.."
"Did you see anything in his hand?" Asked Schram.
"Ah no, I mean it happened too fast, I couldn't," Huizenga told the police.
Derek Copp had said that a flashlight blinded him, so he raised his arm to block the light.
After that, Huizenga's department-issued glock went off.
"He's unarmed and I hit him," Huizenga said.
"So I started saying, ah sh--, you know, oh sh-- I hit him, he's hit."
According to the report, Huizenga ran over to perform first aid on Copp and comfort him.
Later Huizenga said, "I guess it was a, ah, a reaction to being startled by his actions."
Wednesday the deputy pled guilty to a lesser charge, a 90 day misdemeanor, but was sentenced to probation.
The original charge was tied to the placement of Huizenga's trigger finger.
According to the report, Huizenga didn't recall his finger going onto the trigger but prior to Copp opening the door, he knows it was on the slide.
Huizenga's still waiting to find out if he'll be returned to active status at the Sheriff's Department.
Copp has pleaded guilty to a four year marijuana charge.
The State Police says the raid actually stemmed from a robbery investigation. The West Michigan Enforcement Team got involved and followed the drug trail, which led to the apartment.
