MP Neil Friske released while attack investigation continues

Michigan state Rep. Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix) was released from the Lansing City Jail on Friday without being charged with a crime, but police and prosecutors say the investigation into weapons possession and assault is ongoing.

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Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives

The Ingham County prosecutor has waited to approve arrest warrants for assault, sexual assault and weapons violations. Prosecutor John Dewane said this is not the end and urged Lansing police to continue their investigation into the events near a Lansing condominium that appears to belong to Friske.

Dewane promised that his office would coordinate the efforts.

“No charges have been filed yet, although the investigation is ongoing,” prosecutor spokesman Scott Hughes said in a text message to the Michigan Public Radio Network.

Friske spent an entire night in jail while Lansing police sought arrest warrants on the felony charge. Officers arrested Friske after responding early Thursday to a report of a man with a gun and possible gunshots.

Friske’s attorney told the Detroit Free Press that he would conduct his own investigation and share the results with authorities to prove the lawmaker’s innocence.

The city has not released any official reports or other records of the encounter.

Friske is a Republican from Charlevoix who is running for re-election this year. A post on his Facebook campaign page shortly after his arrest suggested that the timing of the arrest was suspicious, as he faces a Republican primary in his Republican-leaning northern Michigan district.