On Saturday September 3, 2016, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety prepared to address crowds and quality of life issues along the W. Michigan Ave corridor with dedicated patrols and additional staffing. Although most gathered peacefully, Public Safety investigated several crimes including an assault on a Public Safety Officer with a bottle, an assault on Public Safety by a man with a gun, and a shooting of a woman. In each case, the offenders were arrested.
Man Points Handgun at Public Safety Officer
On September 4, 2016, at about 12:40 AM a Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer was addressing a crowd gathered in the road at Greenwood Avenue and Redwood Avenue. The officer saw a man waving a gun and pointing at several people in the area. The offender pointed the weapon directly at the officer then turned and ran. Other officers responding to the radio traffic located the offender a short distance away and arrested him without incident. Using a Public Safety K9, a loaded .357 revolver was located buried in the dirt. The Offender an 18 year old Centerville resident was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on a variety of charges including Brandishing a Fire Arm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Felonious Assault on a Police Officer, Felony Firearm, and Resisting an Officer.
Public Safety Officer Assaulted with a Bottle
On September 4, 2016, at about 2:22 AM, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were managing large crowds that had formed in the area of W. Michigan Avenue and Euclid Avenue. An officer working a traffic post at the intersection was struck in the head with bottle thrown by a 25 year old Kalamazoo resident. The officer was transported to Bronson Hospital by Public Safety personnel, admitted, and treated for non-life threatening injuries. The offender was known to Public Safety but not immediately located. Later at about 1:00 PM, officers assigned to locate the offender found him in the 1200 block of California. The offender was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on a charge of Felonious Assault on a Police Officer.
Woman Shot in 2500 block Redwood Avenue
On September 4, 2016 at about 3:34 AM, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the report of a shots being fired from a moving vehicle in the area of Lafayette Avenue and Redwood Avenue. An officer located a vehicle matching the description driving at high rates of speed before crashing into a tree. The offender fled on foot and was not located at that time. A loaded and stolen revolver was recovered the vehicle. A 21 year old Sterling Heights woman sustained a single, non-life threatening gunshot wound and was treated at Bronson Hospital. During the investigation, Public Safety Officers with the assistance of Kalamazoo Township officers arrested a 25 year old Kalamazoo resident for Carrying a concealed Weapon and seized a loaded 9mm handgun. Later Public Safety located the offender a 24 year old Ohio resident taking him into custody without incident. The offender was lodged at the Kalamazoo County on an outstanding warrant with an ongoing investigation.
Anyone having information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.
Authority: Lt. Diaz
Date: September 4, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139