Suspects identified in Benton Harbor shooting
Jaromir Chalabala
and last updated 2021-04-09 19:44:33-04
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. â Two suspects have been identified in an alleged shooting that took place in Benton Harbor earlier this week.
Officers responded to gunshots heard near the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety on the morning of April 7, according to BHDPS.
They say the shots stemmed from around Brunson Avenue and Dr. Daniel Cook. Upon their arrival, officers found a victim with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the face, BHDPS tells us. Weâre told the victim has been identified as 28-year-old Leroy Dontrell Johnson Jr., who BHDPS says was later transported to Spectrum-Lakeland for treatment. Officials expect him to make a full recovery.
April 9, 2021
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has released the names of the suspects in a Wednesday shooting on Brunson. Chief Dan McGinnis says officers heard gunshots in the area of Brunson and Dr. Daniel Cook around 9:30 a.m. and found 28-year-old Leroy Dontrell Johnson had been grazed in the face with a bullet. He was taken to Spectrum Health Lakeland and is recovering. Police surrounded a home at 32 Brunson and arrested 33-year-old James Lee Micken Junior and 27-year-old Verdell Washington Junior. They’re charged with armed robbery, assault with intent to murder, possession of meth, and possession of cocaine. Inside the home, police say they found both guns and drugs. Assisting at the scene were Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.
Two people found deceased following house fire on S. Hull Avenue
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. Two people were found deceased after a house on S. Hull Avenue caught fire early Tuesday morning, according to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.
Dispatch received a call about the fire at 4:35 a.m. When firefighters arrived, there were flames visible and the roof had already collapsed.
Once the fire was under control, a search of the home was conducted.
One person was located in the front room and a second was found in the kitchen.
The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation unit and BHDPS Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.
April 6, 2021
Two people are dead after a house fire in Benton Harbor early on Tuesday. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety says it was called to 157 South Hull Street around 4:35 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find the structure fully engulfed with flames shooting out of the roof and the roof collapsed. A bystander told firefighters there may have been two people inside. Once the fire was under control, firefighters found the first victim in the front of the home. The second victim was found in the kitchen in the rear of the home. The cause of the fire remains unknown and the Michigan State Fire Marshal is investigating. The names of the victims have not yet been released. The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety assisted at the scene to protect neighboring properties.
Michigan State Police logo. Courtesy, Michigan State Police
BENTON HARBOR, MI (WKZO AM/FM) Tuesday, the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced that early reporting, based on 2020 data, illustrates violent crime declined in the city of Benton Harbor by 12 percent when comparing reports from 2019.
According to police, total crime incidents represent nearly an 11 percent decrease when compared to the same incidents reported during the same time period of the previous year.
Notable highlights of the 2020 report come from the file classes of rape and robbery, in which both categories indicate declines of more than 38 percent (rape) and more than 42 percent (robbery) in 2020 when compared to 2019.