Following a trial in Mecosta County Circuit Court, Ryan Cox was acquitted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.

Cox, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer from Mancelona, was sued for $250 million in a federal lawsuit after a shooting at Merrill-Gorrel County Park in Barryton.

The incident occurred May 13, 2023, when Cox — 22 at the time — was off duty and camping with his father, David Cox, and other family members. After reportedly hearing a woman scream, Cox and his father intervened in a verbal argument that turned physical between David Cox and Brandon Davis of Mount Pleasant. Ryan Cox then identified himself as a DNR conservation officer.

According to the defense, Davis was shot after he refused commands and raised his arm to continue assaulting David Cox. According to the prosection, Davis was walking away when he was shot without justification. Davis was hospitalized and lost a kidney.

Cox was placed on administrative leave after the shooting, prompting a Michigan State Police investigation. He was charged in December 2023 by Attorney General Dana Nessel with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and felony firearm. He was bound over for trial in May 2024; the felony firearm charge was later dismissed.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before returning a not-guilty verdict. The case was decided in the 49th Circuit.