A domestic violence incident escalated Tuesday evening after a 27-year-old suspect held a Port Huron police officer underwater as the officer attempted to subdue him along the St. Clair River.
Officers were called to Desmond Landing, along the St. Clair River in the 1400 block of Port Huron’s 4th Street around 7:45 p.m. on November 21, to respond to a report of a domestic assault. The first officer to arrive saw the suspect, 27-year-old Malik Lewis, fleeing from the location along the shoreline in the tall grass. He followed him, attempting to make contact as another officer checked on the assault victim. After the assault was confirmed, the second officer joined in the efforts to locate Lewis, with Lewis being informed he was under arrest for domestic assault when he was found.
However, Lewis, who had made his way into the shallow water along shore, refused to obey officers’ commands. When he came within reach of an officer on the shore, the officer attempted to grab him by the wrist, only for Lewis to grab the officer, pull him into the water and stand over top of him as he held the officer under water for several seconds. Lewis released the officer, fleeing again as more officers arrived at the scene, but was caught and taken into custody after a short foot chase.
Currently lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention Center, Lewis was arraigned Wednesday, November 22, on four charges: assault with intent to murder, domestic violence – 3rd offense, assaulting / resisting a police officer, and habitual offender. The officer that he assaulted did not suffer any major injuries during the incident.
