Kalamazoo, Michigan: On Friday, May 21, 2021, at approximately 9:15 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were sent to the area of Church/Paterson regarding a large party and crowd of people.

Public Safety Officers addressed a crowd upwards of 600 people and over 100 cars gridlocking area streets. Several fights broke out during the course of the unapproved party as well as several shots fired calls. Three firearms were recovered, two of the firearms had fallen out into the street after fights. Also recovered were random loaded magazines and live ammunition scattered throughout the streets.

For more than 7 hours, officers were solely addressing issues associated with the large crowd and party.

An 18-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Weapon as well as other charges. He was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.


Authority:
Lt. Gretchen Mayo

Date: May 21, 2021

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Craig Habel, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 21, 2021

Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesr@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer-involved shooting

Kalamazoo, Mich. – At approximately 2 a.m. on Friday, May 21, an officer from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS), was patrolling the area of Florence and Burrell.

KDPS officers were in the area due to a shooting in the 600 block of Florence that occurred three hours earlier – at approximately 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 – where an individual was shot and injured. The victim in that case refused to provide information and refused medical attention from KDPS.

In the same location where the earlier victim was located, an officer heard yelling and observed what appeared to be a verbal dispute.

Upon arriving on scene, the officer was informed that one of the parties involved in the dispute had a gun.

The officer approached and observed an armed individual. The officer gave verbal commands to “drop the gun.” When the subject failed to drop the weapon, the officer fired one shot, striking the individual in the hip. The officer then recovered the gun – which was loaded with an extended magazine – and rendered aid to the victim.

The injured individual – a 47-year-old Kalamazoo resident – was taken to a local hospital, where they are currently in stable condition.

To ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, the Michigan State Police (MSP) has been called in to take over the investigation.

The involved officer will be on paid administrative leave while the MSP conducts their investigation, per KDPS policy.

Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be turned over to the Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a review of the officer’s actions.

All parties involved are committed to transparency and completing this process as quickly as possible.

Below are photos of the weapon that was recovered from the scene.

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Kalamazoo, MI: On April 29, 2021 at approximately 1:50 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 1300 block of N. Rose for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located a 17-year-old Kalamazoo man, suffering from numerous gun-shot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital and although expected to survive the incident, suffered severe trauma.

Detectives initiated an investigation and were able to determine the suspect to be, Dondrell Lavance Servant, a 20-year-old Oshtemo man. Members of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and Crime Reduction Team combined efforts and were able to arrest Servant, Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in the city of Kalamazoo. Shortly after the arrest, detectives with KDPS executed two search warrants at separate apartment complexes in relation to the shooting incident.

Servant is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail and being held on a $300,000 cash surety bond. Servant was arraigned on charges for Assault with Intent to Murder, Felony Firearm, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Anyone with any more information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-337-8139, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

By authority of: Captain Craig Habel

Date: May 6, 2021

Address: 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Craig Habel, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Date:  Thursday, April 29, 2021

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesR@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Person Shot 1300 N. Rose St

Kalamazoo, MI: 

On Thursday, April 29^th, 2021 at approximately 1:50 a.m., officers with the Kalamazoo Department. of Public Safety responded to the report of a subject who had been struck by gunfire in 1300 blk of N. Rose St.

Officers arrived at the residence and located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  Officers provided medical treatment and transferred care to EMS personnel.  The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in serious condition.

The victim, a 17-year-old male from Kalamazoo is currently listed in serious condition.

This incident is currently being investigated by Detectives with Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Operations Division at (269) 337-8142 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.

By authority of: Lt. David Juday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesr@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Kalamazoo, Mich. – Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to the 1200 block of N. Church Street to investigate the report of felonious assault where a firearm was pointed at the reporting victims on the evening of Wednesday, April 7,2021. 

When officers arrived they located the suspected vehicle that was occupied with persons of interest related to the assault.  During the investigation, one of the occupants was ordered out of the vehicle. As they stepped out of the vehicle, the officers conducted a search of the individuals.

During this search, a firearm was found and the subject began actively fighting with officers.  Additional officers were requested to the scene to help safely detain the individual suspected of the felonious assault.  The first subject, a 15-year-old Kalamazoo resident, sustained only minor injuries and was arrested on multiple felony charges.

After the first subject was apprehended, a second subject from the vehicle also began fighting with officers. This second subject was arrested without any injuries on felony charges stemming from the investigation.

While being transported, the juvenile suspect complained of the tightness of the handcuffs and, within sound judgement and within policy, the officer stopped to check/adjust the handcuffs as needed to prevent any potential injury.  While adjusting the handcuffs, the subject tried to escape police custody by pushing past the officer and later biting the officer multiple times on her head. The officer was able to secure the juvenile back in the vehicle without further injury and continued the transport to the hospital for a medical evaluation from the original incident.

A subsequent search of the vehicle on Church Street located a second handgun related to the original felonious assault complaint.  In total, 3 Kalamazoo residents were arrested on numerous felony charges and 2 firearms recovered. 

“At the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, we are committed to providing fair and impartial treatment to citizens during every encounter – including during investigations – and treating everyone involved with dignity and respect,” said Vernon Coakley, Chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.  Body camera and vehicle dash camera footage from this incident as well as police reports are being reviewed to add clarity to the actualities about what happened in this situation.  Furthermore, we will be working with the prosecutor as to when we can release captured video footage, so our community has the facts.”

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