“Nighty night.”
Those were the words a Michigan officer reported hearing before a suspect pointed a loaded gun at his head and pulled the trigger.
Saginaw Township Police Officer Jeff Koenig testified that he pulled a pickup truck over on January 22ndfor driving without its headlights on. When he approached the vehicle, that’s when 29-year-old Joshua M. Rosebush allegedly raised the stolen gun and spoke those chilling words to Koenig.
The testimony from the two men depicting the terror that ensued that night in January paints a haunting picture. Officer Koenig, who miraculously survived his injuries, was able to Koenig recalled the stop.
“It was a simple traffic stop — tell him to turn his lights on and go home,” Koenig said.
“I believe I said something; I don’t recall exactly what I said,” Koenig said. “He said, ‘Nighty night,’ and fired the shot into my face.” “I felt the impact, heard the round, and I went down.”
As he scrambled for cover, another shot was fired, hitting Koenig in the shoulder. He managed fire two shots from his service weapon before radioing for help while Rosebush fled.
When his fellow officers arrived, they brought him to Covenant Healthcare hospital in Saginaw where he underwent his first surgery. Koenig had the bullet in his shoulder removed, and doctors were able to pull bullet fragments, teeth, and bone from his face.
Rosebush then reportedly led officers on a two-hour manhunt, which involved Rosebush stealing 2 more vehicles while being pursued. Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Detective Lt. Scott Shenk spotted Rosebush in a van on Interstate 69 and began following him.
When Rosebush pulled over and took cover behind the vehicle with his gun pointed at Shenk, the detective pulled his weapon and fired twice, striking Rosebush in the face.
Rosebush was taken into custody and transported to the hospital, where he was treated for his gunshot wound.
During a recorded interrogation in the hospital room, Rosebush painted a picture of his criminal past. Rosebush stated that he’d been in the criminal justice system since he was 16. He’s been in prison, on and off, for over 10 years.
He told officers that he was fleeing court orders to make payments and that he would be arrested if he failed to do so. He stole multiple vehicles and a gun during that time.
“I went to get McDonald’s and forgot to turn on my headlights,” he says. “That’s why he stopped me. I went to a gas station to get a beer as I was eating McDonald. I know I shouldn’t have been drinking and driving, but it was only one Pabst.”
When Officer Koenig approached the truck, Rosebush pulled the gun.
“I shot him point blank in the face … twice. I ran as fast as I could.”
“He didn’t die?” Rosebush asked when he found out Koenig was in critical condition. “Oh my god. Oh my god. It’s gonna be so much worse.”
Rosebush now faces 28 charges, including 2 counts of assault with intent to murder.
The case is now being handled by the Circuit Court.