Update: The victim from this incident has been identified as Kalamazoo resident, Graciela Portillo-Esparza, (31 yrs).
Update: Zachary Michael Patten is in custody. He was located in South Bend, Indiana.
Kalamazoo, MI: On July 20th 2017, at approximately 9:38pm, officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a shooting in the 1800 block of Tray Ln. Arriving officers located a 31 year old female suffering from a gunshot wound. Life saving measures were initiated however, the victim died on scene. The suspect fled the area in a vehicle.
The suspect has been identified as Zachary Michael Patten, W/M, 11/12/1984, 5’11, 185. Patten was last seen driving a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica grey/silver plate CLN 8244. The vehicle has a “skeleton family” sticker on the rear of the vehicle and a full size spare tire on one of the front wheels.
Mr. Patten is also suspected of being involved in a homicide in Constantine Mi. a short time after the Kalamazoo incident. St. Joe County Sheriff Department is handling that investigation.
Mr. Patten’s whereabouts is unknown at this time, he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Attached is a photo of Zachary Michael Patten.
Anyone with information regarding this case should contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at (269)337-8994, Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
By authority of: Shannon Bagley
Date: July 21, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigations Div. (269)337-8139