Reports: Man accused in Lansing toddler's death rammed police car, fought officers before arrest

LANSING — The man accused of kidnapping and killing a Lansing toddler fled police in Macomb County at speeds exceeding 100 mph, rammed a police vehicle head-on and at one point had his hand on an officer's firearm before he was subdued with a stun gun and arrested, records show.

Records also show two officers were injured during the arrest. St. Clair Shores Police Chief Jason Allen originally said just one officer received medical treatment for injuries after the arrest, and did not initially disclose the use of a stun gun or the high-speed chase.

Rashad Trice, 26, faces more than a dozen charges in state courts in Ingham and Macomb counties in connection with the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith and the rape and assault of her mother, his ex-girlfriend. Trice also faces federal charges of kidnapping a minor and kidnapping resulting in death in connection with the disappearance of Wynter. The State Journal is not naming the mother because she is the reported victim of a crime.

Lansing police sent out an Amber Alert for Wynter at 2:41 a.m. on July 3, stating they believed her to be missing and endangered with Trice who hours earlier is accused of stabbing and raping her mother at her BeauJardin Drive apartment.

More: Rashad Trice to face grand jury hearing in Wynter Cole-Smith kidnapping case

Two St. Clair Shores police officers saw a car matching the description given by Lansing police − a white Chevrolet Impala − and followed it northbound as Trice accelerated and used the center left-turn lane to pass a vehicle. The officers turned on their emergency lights after Trice sped up and began fleeing officers, according to the reports.

"The pursuit continued n/b on Harper at speeds well over 100mph in a posted 40mph zone," one officer who was only identified as D. Jacquemain wrote. "The vehicle drove through a red light at n/b Harper and 11 Mile Road without stopping."

Police confirmed the vehicle's license plate matched the plate Lansing police were looking for.

One St. Clair Shores officer who arrived to the area wrote that he narrowly avoided a collision with Trice, who a short time later drove head-on into that officer's patrol vehicle that was traveling 35-40 mph, according to the reports.

"...I observed the Impala veer toward Officer Ealy's patrol vehicle again, causing a head-on collision with Officer Ealy who was traveling n/b," officer D. Jacquemain wrote. "The Impala and patrol vehicle 602 both became disabled with heavy damage (airbags deployed on both vehicles) at that time. Eastpoint PD Officers arrived on scene at that time to assist."

Trice, the only occupant in the car, refused to exit the car, despite police's demands, D. Jacquemain wrote. An officer with the Eastpointe Police broke the driver's side window.

"I then observed the driver reach out of the window and grab ahold of Officer Ballard's pistol," D. Jacquemain wrote. "Officer Ballard was able to pull his pistol free from the driver's grip. I observed the driver attempt to grab Officer Ballard's pistol two more times before Officer Ealy deployed his (Taser), successfully striking the driver."

Ealy stunned Trice again as he refused to leave the car, D. Jacquemain wrote.

"Upon painting the suspect with the (Taser), he proceeded to reach out and attempt to grab it from my hand," Ealy wrote. "As a result of the suspects actions, I deployed the (Taser), effectively making contact with his person. Following the first deployment, the suspect was ordered to exit the vehicle. Instead, the suspect continue to fight back against officer attempting to remove him from the driver side of the vehicle, resulting in a second deployment."

St. Clair Shores and Eastpointe police officers removed Trice from the car. Trice had a laceration on his forehead, a chest injury and an injury in his hip area, D. Jacquemain wrote.

"SCSFD was requested to the scene to examine both Trice and Officer Ealy," D. Jacquemain wrote. 'SCSFD determined that both Trice and Officer Ealy should be examined at the hospital for their injuries."

An Eastpointe police officer referred to only as officer Ballard was also injured, reports show.

Trice appeared with his court-appointed attorneys in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids Tuesday for a preliminary hearing on federal charges relating to the kidnapping and kidnapping death of the toddler.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent expressed some skepticism on whether there was enough evidence for the federal government to prosecute Trice, but ultimately moved to bind him over. The grand jury, which could convene in the next three weeks, according to prosecutors, will determine if there is sufficient evidence to send Trice to a full jury trial.

"The facts provide plenty of evidence to establish probable cause," Kent said, before binding Trice over.

More: Feds charge Rashad Trice with kidnapping in abduction, death of Wynter Cole-Smith

Trice faces 16 felonies in Ingham and Macomb counties.

Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter's mother the night of July 2 at their Lansing residence. He then allegedly kidnapped Wynter, leaving her 1-year-old brother behind, and fled in the mother's Impala to the Detroit area. Wynter's body was located days later near Coleman A. Young International Airport. Police believe Trice killed Wynter, possibly strangling her with a pink cellphone cable.

In Macomb County, Prosecutor Peter Lucido authorized eight felony charges Thursday against Trice. Those charges include third-degree fleeing and eluding police, attempt to disarm an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing causing injury, and three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

In Ingham County, charges include assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence as a second offense, unlawful driving away of an automobile, and felonious assault.

Trice, who has a lengthy criminal record, is being held at the Ingham County Jail without bond.

Detroit Free Press Reporters Arpan Lobo and Matthew Dolan contributed to this story.

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Police reports detail arrest of man accused in death of Wynter Cole-Smith