Michael Jansen, the Marlow man involved in a deadly shooting with Baldwin County Sheriff's deputies Friday, had been twice committed to a mental health facility, court records obtained by Local 15 News show.
According to documents filed with the Baldwin County Probate Court, Jansen's mother, Helen, first petitioned the court in December 2009 to have her son committed. In February 2010, a judge granted to order to send Jansen to Searcy Mental Hospital. Not long after, in April 2010, Helen Jansen again petitioned her son be committed, the records show. A judge granted the order for Jansen to be committed to Searcy that same month.
The records did not specify when Jansen was released. A spokesperson for the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office confirmed Jansen had also been arrested for DUI.
At the Jansen home, a family spokesperson, who did not identify herself, said Michael was Helen's youngest son. "Helen is devastated," the woman said adding the family was not interested in making any additional comments.
Officials said relatives had called 911, complaining Jansen had become aggressive with them around 4pm Friday. When Deputy Sheriff Scott Ward and two other deputies arrived at the home and attempted to talk to Jansen, he pulled out a handgun and started shooting, Sheriff Huey Mack said. Jansen struck Ward and another deputy several times. The third deputy was not injured, he said. The deputies returned fire, killing Jansen.
Ward and the other deputy who were shot were airlifted to USA Medical Center. Ward died at the hospital. The second deputy was undergoing surgery Friday night and was listed in critical condition, Mack said.
