Man Dies During Leroy Township Standoff and House Fire

A 35-year-old Calhoun County man died during an armed standoff and house fire in Leroy Township on October 26th, 2026.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Travis Baker and said deputies went to a home on Running Deer Ridge at about 5:30 p.m. to serve a search warrant and a probation-violation warrant.

Officials said in an incident release that the warrants followed a domestic incident the previous day involving Baker and his parents, along with concerns about his behavior and possession of firearms while on probation.

The response quickly became a dangerous multi-agency confrontation.

As the Special Response Team used a drone and tried to enter the home, investigators said gunfire came from inside the residence.

Multiple rounds struck law-enforcement vehicles belonging to the Sheriff’s Office and the Battle Creek Police Department, and two police drones were shot down.

Authorities issued an emergency warning directing nearby residents to shelter indoors and stay away from exterior windows and walls.

A Battle Creek police officer fired from a response vehicle during the confrontation.

A fire then engulfed the house, preventing officers from immediately entering and confirming Baker’s condition.

After the fire was brought under control, Baker was found dead inside the residence.

Officials have not publicly established whether Baker died from the officer’s gunfire, the fire or another cause.

The officer-involved shooting and the structure fire remain under investigation, and the available public release does not assign fault or explain what started the fire.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted Monday evening, and the Sheriff’s Office said there was no continuing threat to neighboring residents connected with the incident.

A detailed local report said the response also drew personnel from Michigan State Police, Albion Department of Public Safety, Marshall Police and Emmett Township Department of Public Safety.

Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch, Calhoun County Probation and the countywide Special Response Team also participated.

Fire crews from Emmett, Newton, Leroy and Athens townships responded to the burning residence.

LifeCare Ambulance provided emergency medical support during the operation.

Residents who received the earlier shelter alert can sign up for future Calhoun County emergency notifications through the county’s Rave Alerts service.

The county advises people to call 911 during an active emergency and to use non-emergency agency contacts for follow-up questions or information.

Because the shooting and fire investigations are still open, additional findings could change or clarify the sequence of events.

Readers can monitor the Sheriff’s Office and official county communications for verified updates rather than relying on unconfirmed social-media accounts.

What happened on Running Deer Ridge?

A warrant service became an armed standoff, shots struck police equipment, and the residence caught fire before Travis Baker was found dead.

Were any officers or neighbors reported injured?

The public reports did not identify injuries to officers or neighboring residents.

What remains under investigation?

Authorities are investigating the officer-involved shooting, the structure fire and the circumstances surrounding Baker’s death.