A state representative from northern Michigan was arrested “for a felony-level offense” at 2:45am Thursday morning near a home he owns near Lansing on undisclosed charges, after police responded to “a report of a male with a gun, as well as possible shots that were fired,” according to the Lansing Police Department.
Neil Friske, 62, is currently being held at the Lansing police department lockup, according to Ingham County jail officials. The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing charges, a Lansing Police Department spokesperson said, and Friske is expected to be arraigned Friday or Saturday if charges are authorized.
Friske is one of the most conservative members of the lower chamber and is part of the Michigan House Freedom Caucus. Friske’s biography indicates he “serves in the local church where he worships” and is a member of Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and Farm Bureau.
Friske was one of two members of the 110-member Michigan House to vote against a bill banning the use of AI to produce pornography without the consent of the individual.
Forty minutes following his arrest, he tweeted a message referencing his vote on the legislation.
The Friske campaign posted a statement to social media as well.
"As many of us know, Rep Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right," the Friske campaign said in a statement. "... We ask everyone for prayers and to stay tuned from updates directly from this campaign or Representative Friske himself. Thank you for the outpouring of concern and unwavering support we have received this morning. Clearly, Rep. Friske is over the target in this race."
Friske is in his first term as a lawmaker and faces a primary challenger.