Police arrest Republican lawmaker after reports of gunfire in Lansing

Police arrested a Republican lawmaker early Thursday morning while responding to reports of possible shootings in Michigan’s capital, authorities said.

Deputy Neil Friske was arrested around 2:45 a.m. “on a serious crime charge,” Lansing police spokesman Jordan Gulkis said.

Investigators plan to submit a report to the Ingham County District Attorney’s Office by Friday, Gulkis said.

Friske’s office did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment. However, his campaign’s Facebook page said: “Representative Friske always exercises his 2nd Amendment rights.”

“We ask everyone for prayers and to stay tuned for updates directly from this campaign or from Rep. Friske himself,” the statement said.

Friske, who is running for re-election, has shown a conservative voting record during his first term in the House. He represents Charlevoix and Emmet counties, as well as parts of Cheboygan, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.

His family runs a popular orchard in Charlevoix County.