Death On The Street

"GRAND RAPIDS, MI — An early morning domestic dispute turned tragic after police said a man shot and killed his girlfriend in the street and then took his own life in the basement of a nearby Southwest Side home.

"Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk said officers breached a home on the 600 block of Oakland Avenue SW about 8:40 a.m. after a standoff that lasted a couple hours.

"Officers were called to the neighborhood following a pair of 6 a.m. 911 calls and shut down neighborhood streets around Godfrey Avenue and Rumsey Street SW to investigate the death of a woman who was apparently shot in the street.

"Police were able to rescue a pair of children, about 3 years old and 4 months old, from the home, said Belk. The toddler provided information on the whereabouts of the male suspect, whom police found in the basement, dead from an apparent self-inflicted
gunshot wound.

"Neither the suspect, the victim nor the children are being identified, said Belk, but the children are fine and arrangements for their care are being made.

"Belk said family members were assisting the major case and Special Tactical Unit members on scene.

"Officers never made contact with the suspect using bullhorns or over the phone, said Belk, who did not know the man’s full background but said he was known to police. One weapon was recovered on the scene.

"Belk said police did not know what exactly sparked the incident. He said there was an argument during the first call to 911 and a return call saying the girlfriend had been shot.

"Grand Rapids Public Schools are closing the nearby Southwest Community Campus School for the day due to this incident."

From mlive.com...