GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The man charged with attacking a Grand Rapids Township fire lieutenant will undergo a competency exam.

In 63rd District Court Wednesday morning, Judge Paul Sullivan granted a competency evaluation for Robert Daniel-Brent Joppe, 40, of Cedar Springs.

“It would appear that Mr. Joppe was suffering from some sort of psychotic break and at this point in time, I’m not convinced that he is capable of making decisions on what to do as far as a preliminary exam,” defense attorney Andrew Rodenhouse told News 8 after the hearing.

Joppe was charged with assaulting an officer causing serious injury (the fire lieutenant), assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting an officer (a responding deputy).

“I think that had he been in his right mind, it never would have happened and that it is entirely possible, reading the police reports, that he realized that something was going wrong with him and he was seeking help. At least in the initial stages, that appears to be the case,” Rodenhouse said.

He told News 8 he expected to pursue an insanity defense. He said his client has a “very limited” criminal history, served in Iraq as a military police officer and previously worked as a corrections officer in North Carolina.

“So looking at him as a person, what the actions were and being able to look at some of the video from him at the firehouse as well as at the hospital, it’s pretty clear that he is suffering from some sort of psychotic break,” Rodenhouse said. “It’s pretty clear he is not in his faculties and he is not able to make decisions about what he is doing.”

Even if Joppe is found not competent to stand trial, that does not mean he would necessarily be found not guilty by reason of insanity. A finding of incompetence means only that doctors have decided Joppe is not capable of understanding the case against him and assisting in his own defense, which is his right. If he is found incompetent, he would undergo treatment until he is healthy enough to participate, at which point the court case would proceed.

The attack happened shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the fire station on the East Beltline near Knapp Street NE. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office said the fire lieutenant was working alone and allowed Joppe into the garage, believing he might have been there to do some work on the building. But Joppe was not a worker. He was suicidal, under the influence of drugs and had a gun, the sheriff’s office said. He allegedly shoved his finger into the lieutenant’s eye. The lieutenant called for help. The sheriff’s office said when deputies arrived, they said they saw Joppe “actively assaulting” the lieutenant.

Rodenhouse said Joppe’s family was “very upset and disturbed” by what happened and is concerned both for Joppe and the fire lieutenant, “wish(ing) him the best in his recovery.”

“I’m sure that when my client comes to his normal faculties, if he is able to, he will be very, very surprised, disappointed, remorseful and will want the best for the officer, the firefighter,” Rodenhouse said.

Grand Rapids Township Fire Department Chief Luke Werdon said the firefighter is expected to make a full recovery, alongside a “positive outlook.”

The fire chief said he and the Grand Rapids Township Supervisor Michael DeVries are discussing possible changes to the fire station’s public access.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly named the judge who granted a competency evaluation. It was Judge Paul Sullivan. We regret the error, which has been fixed.

—News 8’s Rachel Van Gilder and David Horak contributed to this report.