Husband and father in critical condition

Our beloved father of 4, husband, brother, son and dedicated friend, Michael Northcutt, was involved in a tragic police shooting Thursday, April 14th. He sustained a gunshot wound to the back of his neck, severing his lower cervical spine. He is currently in critical condition with a prognosis of being paralyzed from the neck down and needing lifetime ventilator support.

This has left his family devasted navigating through the medical and legal system. Trying desperately to unravel what exactly lead to this unfortunate incident.

The night of the incident, Mike appeared to have gotten into a car accident hitting the side of the freeway wall. He was parked on the shoulder with his airbags deployed. He is allegedly being accused of shooting at the California Highway Patrol, as they approach the vehicle. Medical staff shared the bullet entered the right back side of his neck and exited his left shoulder. Given the fact, that he was hit from behind further questions how the series of events took place.

Police investigators have yet to release details of what ensued as well as have not released any video footage. Mike is currently in custody while in critical condition at UCLA medical center. His family has been prevented from seeing or speaking to him. This is the first time in 12 years that his wife has not been able to hear his voice or see his face.

Mike was not gang affiliated and did not have a criminal record. Nor has ever been pulled over for even a speeding ticket. Mike dreamt of bridging the racial divide and applied to the LAPD in 2021.

Mike was a stay-at-home father, helping raise his 4 children of 15, 14, 12 and 2 years old. On most days you would find Mike watching Bubble Guppies with his 2 years old, playing video games with his sons or talking to his children about his faith.

In 2015 he started a non-profit organization, The Kings Men, geared to supporting male youth. His goal was to mentor young men and provide them with a positive male role model which in most instances there was none. He inspired them to achieve their dreams and strive for a life outside of the circumstances they were in.

We ask for support as our family navigates through this tragic incident.

With a grateful heart,

The Northcutt Family