A malfunctioning gun saved the life of a Michigan sheriff’s deputy after a suspect allegedly tried to shoot him in the head.

Deputy Kaleb Mortimer was responding to reports of someone attempting to break into vehicles outside an auto repair business when he saw Jaylen Lipsey and ordered him to stop. Lipsey resisted and eventually overpowered the deputy, court documents say.

Prosecutors say Lipsey then reached for Mortimer’s gun, which went off as the two men were fighting over it.

Mortimer was shot in the inner thigh, in what authorities say was a potentially fatal injury. Lipsey then pointed the gun at Mortimer’s head but, court documents say, the gun malfunctioned and Lipsey was not able to fire it a second time.

Jaylen Lipsey appears in a Kalamazoo courtroom via video linkup from jail to be arraigned on several charges including attempted murder. (July 20, 2026)

Lipsey then allegedly stole Mortimer’s cruiser and led law enforcement on a 30-mile chase with speeds up to 125 mph. Another deputy then deliberately crashed into the cruiser to halt the chase.

As of the weekend, Mortimer remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Lipsey was arraigned on 14 criminal charges Monday, including assault with intent to murder, carjacking, disarming a police officer, resisting and obstructing a police officer causing serious injury and assault with a dangerous weapon.

He has a history with the criminal justice system, including three previous felony convictions for possession of methamphetmine/ectsasy.

The 28-year-old man is being held in the Kalamazoo County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Source: https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/malfunctioning-gun-saved-michigan-deputy/