Wyoming PD responded to reports of a shooting on South Division Avenue (Courtesy, Phil Dolby at pxhere.com)
By Wyoming Police Department
UPDATE: One person is in police custody after a shooting at the Admiral gas station.
Wyoming Police have arrested a male suspect, a 20-year-old Wyoming resident, in connection with this shooting; the suspect’s name and charges are being withheld pending arraignment.
The victim, a 36-year-old male resident of Grand Rapids, is an employee of the business; he sustained severe injuries and is in critical condition.
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Original media release
One person is injured after a shooting near the intersection of 32nd Street and South Division Avenue.
At approximately 5:40 p.m. on March 6, police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the Admiral gas station, 3221 South Division Avenue, on the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located a victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
Suspect information is not being released at this time.
Wyoming Police Detectives and Forensic Services Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police Detectives at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345; or https://www.silentobserver.org.
The Wyoming Police Department responded to reports of a shooting that left one Grand Rapids male hospitalized (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
By Wyoming Police Department
deborah@wktv.org
One person is injured after a shooting near the intersection of Marquette Street and Nagel Avenue SW.
At approximately 7:55 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2023, police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the area of Marquette Street and Nagel Avenue SW on the report of a large fight. When officers arrived, they learned that a 24-year-old male Grand Rapids resident sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The male was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
Wyoming Police detectives and Forensic Services Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police detectives at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345; or https://www.silentobserver.org.
At approximately 3 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, officers from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the area of Abbie Street SE and S. Division Avenue on the report of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim, a 41-year-old male Wyoming resident, was treated by medical personnel and transported to an area hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, a 34-year-old male Wyoming resident, was taken into custody at the scene. The victim and suspect are known to each other.
The circumstances surrounding this incident are still being investigated by the Wyoming Department of Public Safety Investigative Division. Other individuals involved in this incident have been identified and interviewed by detectives, and there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345.
Local police are investigating two Saturday incidents at separate hotels, one in Wyoming and the other in Kentwood.
Fight at Hampton Inn
UPDATE: The Wyoming Department of Public Safety Investigative continues to investigate this incident. the facts of this case were presented to the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office. After reviewing thefts of the incident, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office issued a warrant for Austin Custsinger of Tennessee on the charge of Involuntary Manslaughter. Chutsinger was arraigned at the Wyoming 62A District Court on March 7.
The deceased individual involved in this incident has been identified as 35-year-old Joshua Willow of Pennsylvania.
Detectives have confirmed tight physical altercation occurred between Curtsinger and Willow. During this physical altercation, Willow sustained injuries that provide to be fatal.
Wyoming police officers responded to a fight in progress involving multiple individuals at 12:20 p.m Saturday, March 4.
According to the police report, when officers arrive, they located an unresponsive male in the parking lot. Despite lifesaving efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. The initial investigation indicates that the deceased became unresponsive during the course of the physical altercation. Other individuals involved in this incident were identified and interviewed by investigators. The circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation.
The deceased is a 35-year-old male from out of state. His name has not been released.
Detectives are continuing to investigate this incident. The police report stated that although it is early in the investigation, it is believed all individuals involved in this incident have been located and there is no threat to the public.
Shooting at Delta Hotel
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
UPDATE: The Kentwood Police Department has released the identify of the individual of the shooting death as Jaquarrie Garrett, 22, from Georgia. The medical examiner has ruled his death a homicide with the cause being multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators are still actively working this case. No further information is being released at this time.
The Kentwood Police Department is investigating a shooting that resulted in a homicide.
Officers responded to a call about a shooting at the Delta Hotel, 3333 28th St. SE, Saturday, March 4. Officers located at 22-year-old male that despite Kentwood Police officers and Fire Department personal attempted first-aid along with EMS, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident is currently being investigated with the police report stating that the Kentwood Police Department does not believe there to be any immediate threat to the public at this time.
Community Action Statement
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the respective police departments. Wyoming Police may be reached at 616-530-7300. The Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau may be reached at 616-656-6604.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org
LANSING – When the horrendous shooting occurred on the Michigan State University campus, student journalists rushed in to cover the tragedy, its impact on the university and community, the investigation and university security.
Their reporting and photos about the Feb. 13 attack that killed three students and seriously wounded five others has appeared prominently in local and national media.
For example, the majority of student correspondents for Capital News Service, our public affairs reporting practicum, were quickly on the job, reporting for The State News – the independent student newspaper – Lansing City Pulse, Impact 89 (WDBM-FM) radio and Michigan Advance.
Articles by another MSU journalism student have been featured in the Washington Post.
In my role as a journalism professor, I see their professional-caliber work as a vivid demonstration of the importance of training the next generations of news gatherers and storytellers.
That’s increasingly crucial in an era when traditional U.S. mainstream news media – magazines and newspapers, radio and television stations – are slashing staff, merging companies, even going out of business. The trend is depriving the public of timely, fair, ethical and accurate information and news.
One damaging result is the growing number of “news deserts” in the United States, counties without a newspaper of their own.
The nonpartisan Center for Community News has been researching the growth of university-led, student-staffed news services that give students real-world experience while providing communities with the news they need.
“Millions of Americans get their news from student reporters working in university-coordinated newsrooms, news labs and classes,” the center pointed out in a study released earlier this year.
Such collaborations “are high-touch programs in which faculty teach and mentor students, edit and assign work and coordinate with media partners — enabling local stories that would not exist otherwise,” according to the center, which is based at the University of Vermont.
I fully endorse the center’s assertion that “local news is more than just a trusted source of critical information: It’s an essential ingredient in a healthy democracy. Communities with dedicated local news organizations report higher levels of civic engagement, social cohesion, and effective problem-solving.”
The center says, “We connect student journalists at every stage of life with local news organizations to help build a world in which every community has access to reliable information by and for the people who live there.”
MSU has two such news services.
Credit: Asher Freedman
Students in Capital News Service, now in its 41st year, report on Michigan public policy, government and politics for about 45 newspapers and online news outlets across the state.
Our subscribing member news organizations range in circulation size from the Detroit News to small community publications such as the WKTV Journal. They range geographically from Iron Mountain to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula and from the Northern Lower Peninsula to Sturgis and Three Rivers in Southwest Michigan and Monroe, Blissfield and Adrian in Southeast Michigan.
Our second student-news service, Great Lakes Echo, reports on the environment – including energy, transportation, environmental justice and environmental health – in Michigan and the other Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces. Many of those stories are reposted by other news organizations in the region.
Elsewhere in the state, broadcast students at Eastern Michigan University partner with National Public Radio affiliate WEMU to produce audio stories, according to the Center for Community News.
Nationally, more than 100 colleges and universities have some type of academic-news collaborations, according to the center. In other Great Lakes states, there are also statehouse-focused programs run by the University of Illinois and by the State University of New York at New Paltz.
“Universities and colleges can provide leadership and resources to address the local news crisis,” the center’s January report said. “Many are doing something, but many could do more.”
They need to prepare students to cover the news that matters and the news that engages the public, whether it’s a mass shooting, the impacts of climate change, elections, pandemics, fluctuating gas prices, even the World Series and the Oscars.
As the center’s report puts it:“Democracy needs local news. Colleges and universities are part of the solution. Students are looking for meaningful experiences, and to learn by doing.”
Eric Freedman is the director of Capital News Service and the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
The search for a missing Wyoming man came to a sad end over the weekend as his body was discovered in a swamp area in Byron Township.
Raymond Tarasiewicz, 68, was reported missing by his family on Nov. 21, 2022. He was last seen at his home around 7:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2022. According to a Facebook post in Wyoming Michigan Informed, he was seen on his driveway on Steff Court. According to family members, Tarasiewicz suffered from early signs of dementia.
On Friday, Jan. 20, a family searching for their missing dog found the body in a semi-rural area of Kent County near the intersection of Ivanrest Avenue and M-6, according to a release from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. According to reports, the family saw the dog in the area and went to search. The dog was later found a few miles away from that area.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office was called to the location at approximately 1:45 p.m. and worked with Wyoming investigators to identify the remains as those of Tarasiewicz. According to police, there was no obvious indications of foul play or self-harm. The circumstances surrounding Tarasiewicz’s death remain under investigation and an autopsy will be conducted by the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety expressed its condolences to the family and there has been an outpouring from the community for the family on social media.
Shooting in Buchanan Avenue area
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a shooting in the 3200 block of Buchanan Avenue on Jan. 21 at 4:07 a.m.
A duplex residence was struck by numerous rounds of fired by unknown individuals. A 50-year-old female who was sleeping in the residence was struck in the arm by one round. She was transported to the hospital for treatment and is in stable condition at this time. Both residences in the duplex and a vehicle in the driveway were struck by gunfire. Other individuals were present in the homes, but no one else was injured.
A silver sports car was seen leaving the area shortly after the shooting and is being sought by investigators.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345. Tips can also be left at Silent Observer’s website.
The Kentwood Police is asking anyone with information on a Jan. 13 shooting in the 4600 block of Breton Avenue to contact the department or Silent Observer.
The Kentwood Police was dispatched to an apartment in the 4600 block of Breton Avenue for a subject who had been shot in the leg. Officers arrived on the scene and provided medical treatment for the victim along with the Kentwood Fire Department. The victim was transported to the hospital and the injury is not believed to be life threatening. The suspect is known to the victim and is not in custody.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau at 616-656-6604. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-771-2345 or online at SilentObserver.org.
Investigators from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety are asking the public to help located a vehicle that was in the area during a Nov. 1 shooting at Indian Mounds Drive.
The Wyoming Department of Safety was called to the 2200 block of Indian Mounds Drive SW on Nov. 1 for the shooting. An 18-year-old male, Kane Coronado, on a bicycle was struck by the gunfire resulting in a fatal injury. Coronado died at the scene.
Investigators are asking for the community’s help in locating a vehicle that was in the area around the time of the shooting. The vehicle is described as a gray or silver four-door Chevrolet Cavalier 2000-2005 model year. Investigators are asking anyone with information about this vehicle to contact Wyoming Police, 616-530-7300, or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-888-774-2345.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is investigating two unrelated shootings that took place on Tuesday, Nov. 1 and providing some words of caution to residents.
The first incident took place at around 2:50 p.m in the 2200 block of Indian Mounds Drive SW.
An 18-year-old male on a bicycle was struck by gunfire resulting in a fatal injury. The male was deceased at the scene. The victim of this shooting has been identified as Kane Allen Coronado of White Cloud.
A vehicle was seen leaving the area immediately after the shooting and was described as a light-colored sedan with an unknown number of occupants. The vehicle was last seen traveling east on Indian Mounds Drive.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. According to a statement from the department, the department is appealing to the public to provide information regarding this case. Anyone who was in the area of Indian Mounds Drive on Nov. 1 between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m. is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345.
Tips for those who are walking or riding
As a reminder to residents, Lt. Rory Allen, spokesperson for the department, said the department recommends that citizens take precautions when utilizing recreational areas such as bike paths and walking trails.
If possible, residents should not travel alone when walking, jogging, or bike riding. Residents should be aware of their surroundings and who is around them. They also should a phone with them to call for help or see anything that is suspicious or feels unsafe. Always call 911 in those incidents.
Shooting on Division Avenue
A 7:15 p.m. on the same day of Nov. 1, officers from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a hold-up alarm at 3530 S. Division Ave. A short time later officers responded to a report that a 15-year-old male with a gunshot wound had been located near the business in questions.
The investigation indicates that the individual with the gunshot wound arrived at 3530 South Division Avenue with two other individuals. It is believed that they arrived in the Ford Fusion that was stolen out of Grand Rapids earlier in the evening.
According the police report, these three individuals were involved in, what was reported to police as, a take-over robbery attempt at that location. The three suspects entered the business with masks covering their faces and surrounded the employee. A fight between the three suspects and the employee broke out and the employee fired one shot from a handgun that he legally had on his person.
All three suspects fled the store after the shooting. The 15-year-old is believed to be the only one who was injured during this incident. He was located a short distance away from the business and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is currently in serious condition. The other two robbery suspects fled the area on foot and have not been located yet. The stolen Ford Fusion was recovered at the scene.
Officers have clues to the other two suspects
Officers are still looking for the two other suspects. One is described as wearing a blue sweatshirt with a hood up, black sweatpants, and a mask covering his face. The second suspect is described as wearing a multi-colored zip-up sweatshirt with a red shirt underneath, black pants, and black shoes. Information located inside the recovered vehicle has provided leads regarding the suspects’ identities. These leads are being pursued by investigators. In the meantime, these individuals are encouraged to turn themselves in to the Wyoming Police.
Once this investigation is complete, the Kent County prosecutor’s office will review all of the circumstances in this case, including a review of the employee’s action in shooting the individual who was robbing his store.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345.
On Oct. 20 at approximately 1:19 p.m. the Kentwood Police Department was dispatched to 5768 Hickory Hill Court for a “shots” fired complaint. After talking with the caller, it was determined that a single subject remained inside the residence and no persons were harmed during the initial incident. Kentwood Police surrounded the home and began making contact with the suspect. Local schools were notified of the incident and went into lock down. Kentwood Police were able to make contact with the suspect, and he surrendered peacefully at around 5 p.m. No injuries were sustained during the incident for any of the involved parties.
Kentwood detectives will be working with the Kent County Prosecutors office to determine necessary charges. Kentwood Police Department also would like to thank the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Wyoming Department of Public Safety for their assistance in coming to a peaceful resolution.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau at 616-656-6604. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org.
On Sept. 13, 2022, Kentwood police officers responded to the 4500 block of Bowen Boulevard in the City of Kentwood on the report of a subject shot.
Officers arrived and located a 17-year-old male white a gunshot wound to the lower chest/abdomen area. The victim received medical treatment on scene and was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Numerous shell casings were located on scene and several vehicles/buildings were struck during this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau at 616-656-6604. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
As protests continue over the April 4 shooting of Patrick Lyoya, several organizations have come forward with resources for the community on dealing with trauma and grief. (pxhere.com)
As many area residents deal with the recent release of video tape of the traffic stop of Patrick Lyoya that resulted in his death, several local organizations have stepped forth to provide resources to help people navigate the difficult conservations of dealing with trauma or grief.
On April 4, Lyoya was stopped by a Grand Rapids police officer and then shot. While the video has been released to the public, the incident is still under investigation.
One of those organizations responding was the Kent County Welcome Plan Steering Committee, which noted that “When critical incidents are seen through the eyes of language barriers, various cultural orientations, and trauma associated with a lifetime of fleeing violence or persecution, we recognize the importance of listening to the voices of New Americans to make our community feel safe for all.”
The Kent County Welcome Plan Steering Committee noted that West Michigan has become home to more than 5,000 Congolese individuals and families. Lyoya and his family escaped the violence of the Congo in 2014.
Along with encourage people to help the Welcome Plan Steering Committee to create a Welcome Plan that makes all new Americans feel welcome, the committee encourage residents to follow the Mental Health Clinicians of Color Grand Raids, Glimpse of Africa, and the Black Impact Collaborative on Facebook. All of these groups have additional resources and upcoming events for the community process this tragedy, according other Welcome Plan Steering Committee.
Kent Intermediate School District and the Grand Rapids Public Library last week both reminded its staff and the public of community resources each organization offers to the public.
The Kent ISD has a parent resource section for processing trauma. According to the website, the resources provided expert guidance for parents and educators on how to assist students and children in the wake of traumatic events. This includes best practices for addressing violence that has occurred in one’s community and processing media coverage of such incidents.
– Reassure children that they are safe. Validate their feelings and let them discuss those filings, letting them know that their feelings are OK.
– Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide and be patient.
– Keep you explanations developmentally appropriate such as with early education, keep language simple and brief with information being balanced with reassurances about safety.
– Review safety procedures both at school and home. Hep children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
– Observe children’s emotional state. Some many not express their feelings but rather, may demonstrate changes in behavior or have anxiety or discomfort.
– Limit television viewing of these events.
– Maintain a normal routine. Keeping a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health.
The site provides links to several organizations such as Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM), which is dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black communities.
Other organizations listed on the site are:
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation which is working to change the African-American community by encouraging people to get the help ethyl need.
The Leland Foundation which provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy.
Innopsych which is brining healing to communities of color by changing the face and feel of therapy.
Mental Health America which is committed to promoting mental health for overall wellness.
Therapy for Black Girls, an online space encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Safe Black Space, an umbrella under which various services are offered to addresses people of African ancestry’s individual and community reactions to cultural and racial trauma.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is seeking information on a shooting that took place Saturday, May 1, at the carnival being held at Lamar Park.
At approximately 7:35 pm on May 1, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the reports of shots fired at the carnival. Witnesses reported seeing a white 4 door vehicle driving quickly through the parking lot. The white vehicle stopped near a red pick-up truck and an occupant of the white vehicle fired several rounds into the truck. The white vehicle then fled the park westbound on Porter St. The red pick-up truck fled the park in an unknown direction prior to police arrival.
Two vehicles in the parking lot were struck by rounds being fired at the red truck. At this time, no victims or suspects have been identified in this incident.
The carnival was closed for the remainder of the weekend.
Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
The alleged suspect vehicle leaving the scene. (Wyoming Department of Public Safety)
By City of Wyoming
At approximately 8:30 pm on Monday, April 22, 2019, officers from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a shooting complaint at Lamar Park. Officers located a subject that sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm. The initial investigation indicates that this was not a random shooting.
After the gunshot was fired, the suspects fled the scene in a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee with a black colored rear bumper (possibly has black trim around the entire lower portion of the vehicle) and a blackcolored spare rim/tire on the driver’s side rear. The shooting suspect is described as a white male, approximately 20-years-old, 5-feet 7 inches – 5-feet 9 inches, heavy set, and last seen wearing a t-shirt and shorts. There were two additional subjects in the Jeep at the time of the shooting. One was described as a white male, approximately 20-years-old and the other was believed to be a Hispanic male, also approximately 20-years-old.
A picture of the alleged suspect’s car. (Wyoming Department of Public Safety)
As stated earlier, this does not appear to be a random event and there is no further danger to anyone in the Lamar Park area.
Anyone with information about his case is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or to contact Silent Observer at 1-866-774-2345.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into a shooting of a 21-year-old suspect from Wyoming, who is now being lodged in the Kent County Jail for assault charges.
At 4:25 a.m. Dec. 31, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety was dispatched on an active domestic dispute that involved a shooting in the 3500 block of Goodman Avenue SW. The suspect was shot once in the shoulder. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect has since has been lodged at the Kent County Correctional Facility and is being held on a charge of felonious domestic assault/strangulation, according to police officers.
After investigation at the scene, it was determined that the suspect was actively attacking/choking a 20-year-old female from Wyoming. The suspect pursued the female and assaulted a 66-year-old, also from Wyoming, who was in the home as well, according to police. The two victims were able to lock themselves in a bedroom but the suspect kicked down the door of the bedroom, according to a report from the department.
The suspect began to assault the two and the 66-year-old was able to retrieve a handgun and fired one shot into the suspect’s shoulder, according to the report.
The two victims received non-life threatening injuries.
The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety detectives are continuing the investigation into the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Wyoming Department of Public Safety is investigating two incidents – a shooting and a serious traffic accident – that took place over the weekend.
At around 10:43 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the report of shots being fired in the area of Francis and 36th Street SE. A second caller was able to give a description of the vehicle and reported seeding an occupant fire rounds toward a residence. Officers later confirmed that several rounds had been fired into an occupied residence in the 100 block of 36th Street SE.
While checking the area, an officer located a vehicle matching the suspect description. The officer attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle which had pulled into a driveway near the location of the initial shots being fired. At one point during the stop, the driver fled the scene by driving forward and through the backyard of the residence. The vehicle continued and, after crashing through a fence, was again located by an officer near 36th Street and Division. The driver refused to stop and eventually turned north on Jefferson Avenue from 36th Street. The officer observed the vehicle continuing at a high rate of speed across 32nd Street where it left the roadway, striking a tree near the 3100 block of Jefferson Avenue.
Two occupants were removed from the vehicle and the driver was extricated by Wyoming Fire personnel. All three occupants were taken to local hospitals where they were being treated for non-life threatening injuries. A loaded firearm was located in the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation.
In unrelated incident, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, to a vehicle traffic crash on South Division Avenue and Avonlea Street SW. The crash occurred when a south bound vehicle driven by a 31-year-old male from Wyoming hit a 24-year-old male from Wyoming. The driver of the vehicle and two other witnesses stated that the pedestrian stepped off the curb directly into the path of the vehicle without looking. The 24-year-old male, identified as Carlos Moncrief, was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Wyoming Public Safety officers continue their investigations into both the crash and the shooting. Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Kentwood Police responded to a report of shots being fired at around 12:50 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in the 4500 block of Breton Ave. SE. Witnesses reported a subject who was riding a bicycle south on the east side of Breton, displayed a handgun and fired several shots in the direction of a pedestrian walking southbound on the west side of Breton. Both the suspect and the intended victim fled the area.
Kentwood Police checked the area and did not locate the suspect or intended victim and no reports of a victim suffering any injuries have been received.
The Kentwood Police Department continues to investigate this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Wyoming Public Safety today (Sept. 8) provided an update with additional details about yesterday’s shooting by a Wyoming Public Safety officer.
The suspect who was shot has been identified as Sadiq Bishara-Abaker Idris. Idris is 25 and a native of Sudan. He is believed to have been living in Grand Rapids. No additional details about Idris are available at this time, according to a release from the City of Wyoming Public Safety Department.
An autopsy was conducted this morning but is not yet complete pending results from a toxicology screen. The department confirmed that Idris died from a single gunshot wound but are not releasing additional details at this time due to the investigation being conducted by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.
A portion of the incident was captured on dashcam, which is being reviewed by Kent County investigators and will not be released publicly at this time.
Kent County investigators continue to talk with witnesses and encourage anyone with information about the shooting to call the Kent County Sheriff’s Department at 616-632-6125 or to call Silent Observer at 616-744-2345 or toll-free at 866-774-2345.
As reported by the department in release last night, the incident began at a Wyoming gun store at approximately 5:24 p.m. when Idris, who had been looking at firearms, allegedly took a semi-automatic pistol, ran out the door and jumped on a bicycle. Wyoming Public Safety called in a canine unit, which tracked and found the abandoned bike.
Police searched the area and the canine unit continued to track Idris, but was unable to pick up the scent. At approximately 7:15 p.m., a witness called Wyoming Public Safety to report a man walking on 32nd Avenue SE near Eastern Avenue SE with what appeared to be a gun in his back pocket.
A Wyoming Public Safety officer was the first to make contact with Idris, who was on foot. The officer exited his patrol car and confronted Idris, who reached for his gun and pointed it at the officer. In defense of his own life, the officer fired his weapon, striking Idris.
Responding officers provided emergency medical aid to Idris, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Wyoming Public Safety Department protocol, the officer remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. To protect the integrity of the investigation, additional details about the suspect, the weapon involved and other information will not be shared at this time.
“This was an experienced officer who is a trained and seasoned professional,” said Wyoming Public Safety Director James Carmody in statement released last night. “We are grateful that he and other members of the public were not harmed [last night.]”
“We are following our protocol for an officer-involved shooting and are cooperating fully with the Sheriff’s Department, which is overseeing this investigation.”
