Hillsdale County man fatally shot after police chase following ex-wife's shooting

HUDSON, Mich. — A Hillsdale County man died following a chase with authorities who were pursuing him after he was accused of wounding his former wife in a shooting at her home, police said.

Scottie Clark, 37, of 14670 Church Rd., Wheatland Township, died Monday outside of his home of at least one gunshot wound. Hillsdale County Sheriff Stan Burchardt said at a news conference Tuesday that they are still investigating whether Clark died of a self-inflicted wound or whether he was struck by gunshots from law-enforcement officials who had been chasing him.

He also said authorities are not sure whether Clark fired first or if he fired a shot at all. Two deputies from Hillsdale County, two deputies from Lenawee County, one officer from Hudson police, and one from Michigan State Police are on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.

One Hillsdale County deputy was injured after being rammed by the suspect’s car at the end of the chase. He was treated for his injuries.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday at the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. Monday when police said they received a call of a person shot in Lenawee County. Clark’s former wife, Angela Clark, 27, was found shot inside her vehicle outside her home at 218 Church St. in Hudson. The couple’s three children were not home at the time.

A police chase began in Hudson and ended when Clark was blocked about 5 minutes away outside his home in nearby Hillsdale County. Authorities said they saw him display a gun and that a sawed off shotgun was recovered from Clark’s truck.

Police said Ms. Clark was taken to an area hospital and that she is expected to survive.

The couple divorced a couple months ago. Authorities had been called for domestic violence complaints against Clark in the past, authorities said.