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Cop shooter accused of trying to murder CO

The inmate allegedly put a fan blade in a mesh bag and assaulted a CO with it, striking her in the head several times

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Paul Osborn.

Photo/Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office

By Lynn Moore
Muskegon Chronicle, Mich.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. – A man who ambushed and shot a Muskegon Police officer, after earlier shooting his neighbor, several years ago has been charged with trying to kill a prison guard.

Paul Osborn, 51, has been charged with assault with intent to murder for the assault on a guard at the Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon on March 21, said Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office.

Osborn was convicted in 2013 of shooting Muskegon Police Detective Sgt. Monica Shirey as she and three other Muskegon officers assisted sheriff’s deputies in searching a rural neighborhood for Osborn.

In the latest case, it’s alleged that Osborn put a fan blade in a mesh bag and assaulted a correctional officer with it, striking her in the head several times, Roberts said. The officer, who suffered a concussion, had to have multiple cuts closed with stitches and staples, he said.

Osborn was arraigned via video feed on July 18. A preliminary examination has been scheduled for Aug. 5 in front of Muskegon County District Judge Harold Closz.

Osborn has since been transferred to the Ionia Correctional Facility.

On Dec. 8, 2012, four Muskegon city police officers were in unfamiliar territory, walking abreast down snowy River Road in near total darkness when they encountered the armed suspect who fired at them, according to testimony at Osborn’s trial.

The officers, including Shirey, returned fire and shot Osborn in the abdomen.

Shirey was hit by buckshot fired from Osborn’s shotgun. She ended up with five wounds - four that went through her left foot and calf - and one in her right heel. Her left fibula also was broken.

Shirey recovered and returned to service, but has since retired from the police department.

Osborn had assaulted his wife and shot his neighbor earlier that night, and had claimed he was going to shoot officers as well, according to testimony at his trial.

He was convicted of assault with intent to murder Shirey as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, resisting and obstructing police and three counts of possessing a firearm while committing a felony. He was convicted as a fourth-time habitual offender, and sentenced to 44 to 70 years in prison.

©2019 Muskegon Chronicle, Mich.

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