ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI. On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at approximately 10:42 p.m. an officer from
the Denton Township Police Department and a deputy from the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office were
dispatched to a wellness check at an address in Prudenville. Police established verbal contact with the
resident, 53-year-old Barry Eugene Phillips, who was armed with a gun outside of his residence. Officers
attempted to negotiate with Phillips and get him to drop the weapon. Phillips returned to his residence
and retrieved a long gun. He then pointed the rifle in the direction of the officers at which time the Denton
Township Officer fired his weapon striking the man. Life-saving measures were attempted immediately at
the scene. Phillips was quickly transported to Mid-Michigan Hospital in West Branch where he was
pronounced dead.
The Denton Township Police Chief requested the Michigan State Police (MSP) to conduct the
investigation. The MSP Forensic Science Laboratory from Grayling and the MSP Seventh District
Investigative Response Team, out of Gaylord, responded to the scene to conduct the investigation, which
is ongoing at this time.
Per department protocol, the officer is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
When complete, the investigation will be forwarded to the prosecutor for review.
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