Cheboygan deputies attacked by man wielding hatchet, assailant shot dead in incident

Deputies with the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department were attacked by a man wielding a hatchet on Thursday, Feb. 10 and the incident resulted in the assailant’s death.

According to press releases from the sheriff’s department and the Michigan State Police, deputies were dispatched at 11:52 a.m. on Thursday at the request of a family member to a residence in Ellis Township for a welfare check on a female individual. The family member had received a text message from her that she was in trouble with a person known to her and needed immediate help.

Immediately upon entry into the residence on Afton Road, deputies were attacked by a male assailant with a hatchet, striking one of the deputies. The Michigan State Police have identified the assailant as 32-year-old Aian Thomas Tracy.

According to the sheriff’s department press release, the deputies then responded in accordance with departmental policy and training, and shots were fired. Tracy was later pronounced dead at the scene.

One deputy was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey after being struck with the hatchet. The deputy is expected to make a full recovery.

Following Thursday’s incident, Sheriff Dale Clarmont said this was an isolated incident and there is no other immediate threat to the public.

Detectives and troopers from the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post, Michigan State Police Seventh District Headquarters, and Michigan State Police Grayling Crime Lab responded to the scene. Cheboygan Life Support Systems were also at the scene.

An autopsy was scheduled Friday morning in Grand Rapids and the investigation continues.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan deputies attacked by man wielding hatchet, assailant shot dead in incident