Man Fatally Shot During Home Invasion After Firing at Ex-Girlfriend and Stepson
(OCSO, July 17, 2024)
Orion Township, MI – An armed man who broke into the Orion Township home of his ex-girlfriend was fatally wounded today after he was shot by the ex- girlfriend’s stepson.
The ex-boyfriend was identified as 67-year-old Galen Gavitt of Unionville. His ex-girlfriend, 62, and her stepson, 36, were not injured, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
The ex-girlfriend had been living in Orion Township with her stepson and his wife since the 17-year relationship between Gavitt and the ex-girlfriend soured.
The incident happened shortly after 10 a.m. at a residence in the 1200 block of Elkhorn Road.
Deputies were dispatched to the home on the initial report of a breaking and entering.
The stepson told the 911 emergency dispatcher he and his stepmother were fearful of Gavitt and that his stepmother had a valid personal protection order that prevented Gavitt from entering her home legally. She also had obtained an extreme risk protection order issued June 12 by an Oakland County judge under Michigan’s “red flag” laws. The laws allow judges to order the confiscation of firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others.
Two weapons were confiscated from Gavitt’s home in Tuscola County on June 12. The stepson said Gavitt had made threats he would kill them.
This morning, Gavitt broke out a window at the rear of the home with an axe and entered the house as the stepson and his stepmother attempted to barricade themselves in an upstairs bedroom.
As the stepson tried to hold the door to prevent Gavitt from entering, Gavitt fired a single shot through the bedroom door, causing the stepson to fall to the ground.
Gavitt pointed a .38 caliber revolver at the stepson, who was also armed with a handgun and was lying on the bedroom floor. Gavitt stepped over the stepson to get to his intended victim who had locked herself in an adjoining bathroom.
“I’m here for (her),” he reportedly said.
When Gavitt attempted to enter the bathroom, the stepson fired a single shot, striking Gavitt in the head. Deputies attempting life saving measures on Gavitt were unsuccessful. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.
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