Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Public Safety received credible intelligence that retaliation was imminent over a homicide that occurred early Saturday morning on April 11, 2020. Information obtained was that a group from Benton Harbor, MI was going to travel to Kalamazoo over the weekend in an attempt to seek retribution. Kalamazoo Public Safety was able to identify key persons on both sides of the dispute and conduct targeted enforcement.
On Saturday, April 18, 2020 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Investigators from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) and Crime Reduction Team (CRT) apprehended one on the involved subjects in the 3600 block of W. Michigan Ave during a traffic stop and was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun and methamphetamine. The 29-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on the charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a stolen handgun, and felony firearm related offenses.
Shortly after the first arrest, at approximately 5:50 p.m., KVET and CRT Investigators apprehended a second involved subject in the 4400 Stadium Drive who was found to be in possession of a loaded AR-style rifle and methamphetamine. The 30-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on the charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and felony firearm related offenses.
On Sunday, April 19, 2020, at approximately 12:30 a.m., KVET investigators and officers from the Operations Division intercepted three vehicles in the 400 block of Drexel Ave. that had just arrived in Kalamazoo from Benton Harbor, MI. Occupants of two of the vehicles were detained on scene. Seven subjects and three handguns were located inside the vehicles. The third vehicle fled from the officers and the two occupants were detained after a vehicle pursuit that ended in the 1300 block of Princeton Ave. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle. At total of nine subjects were arrested and the officers recovered four firearms from the occupants. The suspects, all from Benton Harbor, MI ranging in age from 17-24 years old, were arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on several charges including carrying concealed weapons, fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing arrest, and conspiracy to commit murder.
On Monday, April 20, 2020, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of gun shots fired in the 700 block of S. Howard Street. Officers arrived to find several spent bullet casings in the parking lot and a loaded handgun. A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained through witnesses. Later in the morning, Public Safety Officers located the suspect vehicle and a pursuit ensued after the vehicle failed to stop for officers. The pursuit led through several jurisdictions and ended in 200 block of Grandview Avenue in Kalamazoo where the suspect intentionally crashed into one of the pursuing Kalamazoo Public Safety vehicles. The suspect ran from the scene on foot and was later apprehended by PSO Dumond and his canine “Axl” after he was found hiding under a car in the 200 block of W. Maple Street. The 17-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on the charges or fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing arrest and felonious assault.
Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to thank the Michigan State Police, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Township Police, Western Michigan University Police Department, and Portage Public Safety for their assistance in the weekend operation.
Kalamazoo Public Safety encourages anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
By authority of: Captain Matt Huber
Date: April 20, 2020
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Craig Habel, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139
