Person found dead following police search

NORWALK — Two children emerged from a cornfield north of Baines Park on Wednesday during a police response involving their father, a Michigan man who was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Huron County Sheriff's Office, Norwalk police were contacted by the Inkster Police Department in Michigan regarding Brandon Lee, 36, who had left the state with his two children following a domestic dispute with their mother. Michigan authorities reported that Lee was suicidal and in possession of a firearm. Police in Michigan tracked Lee's cellphone and provided GPS information to Norwalk police, who located his vehicle in a field north of Baines Park on Austin Shadle Drive just north of Norwalk. Officers established a security perimeter while additional emergency personnel responded. As authorities prepared to search the surrounding area, the two children emerged from a cornfield directly north of the vehicle. The children were taken by ambulance to Fisher-Titus Medical Center. Neither appeared to be injured, according to the sheriff's office, which said they would be returned to a family member. Authorities deployed drones and K-9 units to search the cornfield. A drone located Lee lying on the ground with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Earlier Wednesday, the city of Norwalk issued a public safety alert at 1:39 p.m., advising residents of an increased law enforcement presence. Officials said there was no threat to public safety at that time. Agencies assisting in the response included Norwalk police, Norwalk fire, North Central EMS, the Erie County Sheriff's Office, Bellevue police, Milan Township fire, the Huron County Prosecutor's Office and the Huron County Coroner's Office. The Huron County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation.