(Source: The Committee To Elect Neil Friske)

Michigan state Rep. Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix) was arrested early Thursday morning after he reportedly chased a stripper with a gun after a disagreement the two had.

According to initial reports from the Lansing-based MIRS News, Friske was arrested by the Lansing Police Department with a gun in his possession at 2:25 a.m. near his home, after sources said he allegedly chased an adult dancer from his home. The dancer also supposedly works at the Déjà Vu gentlemen’s club in Lansing, which is located close to Friske’s home. The LPD also confirmed they were responding to a shots fired call.

Authorities also declined to name what exactly Friske is being charged with until he is arraigned on either Friday or Saturday. The claims involving a stripper and Friske possessing a gun could not be independently confirmed by press time.

Friske’s campaign released a statement on Facebook several hours after his arrest, saying that the representative “is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right.” The campaign also insinuated, without proof, that the arrest is politically motivated, calling it “highly suspect.”

Friske, who is vying for reelection in November, posted on X shortly before his arrest on Thursday morning criticizing his opponent Parker Fairbairn for being a RINO (Republican in Name Only) and making it “clear that he will work with the Democrats.”

Friske has represented the state’s 107th District since January 2023, and he is regarded as a far-right member of the body. Shortly after being sworn in, Michigan’s House Freedom Caucus announced that Friske would be joining their ranks and serving as its secretary.  On June 5, Friske spoke at a press conference to introduce a set of bills sponsored by the Freedom Caucus aimed at combating “rampant illegal immigration.”

“If the federal government won’t close the border and begin mass deportations, the burden falls on us to do everything we can to protect our communities,” Friske said in a statement. “The only way people will start using the legal pathways again is if we deport illegal immigrants and make it crystal clear that the legal option is the only option.”

Friske is currently being held in the Lansing’s city jail until his arraignment. He is on the Republican primary ballot and will face Fairbairn after previously defeating him in 2022 by 1,061 votes.