On a Friday night in Lansing, Michigan, IPot Part-Owner Austin Dong found himself facing an unimaginable situation. It was supposed to be their one-month milestone, but instead, a car crashed into their building. "Today actually would've been our one month. It's just unbelievable," Dong said. The incident occurred when his dad and staff were closing up shop at 10 p.m. All of a sudden, they heard a loud bang, the power went out, and they realized that a vehicle had driven into their side.

The Car's Path and the Sheriff's Response

The car had come from the Lansing Mall parking lot and crashed directly into the restaurant. In a statement, the Eaton County Sheriff's Office provided details. Upon arrival, deputies spoke to a witness who reported that the driver claimed to be armed and in possession of a bomb. The driver was indeed wearing body armor. Deputies immediately began negotiating with the suspect in an attempt to resolve the situation peacefully. Despite several efforts to de-escalate, the driver continued to refuse to comply with commands. Deputies tried to subdue the suspect with a taser, but it was unsuccessful. Negotiations continued for several more minutes. At one point, the suspect approached the deputies, and when they tried to take him into custody, he physically resisted. During the struggle, he tried to disarm a deputy by grabbing their firearm. However, the deputies were able to regain control and make the weapon safe.The Sheriff's Office believes the Lansing resident, James Edward Howard, was under the influence. Restoration crews are now working to repair the damage. Fortunately, the foundation of the building was not affected. Dong said, "We did get the news today that we will be able to put up a temporary wall starting tomorrow. Hopefully, we can get a building inspector to approve it, and if we do, we should be able to operate the business as early as Thursday." After speaking with his family, Dong plans to press charges against the suspect.There were a few customers still inside the restaurant when the crash happened. One person who was getting ice cream stepped out of the way just minutes before the car crashed through. Thankfully, no one was injured. The suspect is currently in custody at the Eaton County Jail.Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to stay updated on the latest local news and weather. For hiring or advertising needs, Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.Copyright 2024 WILX. All rights reserved.