B&E, Pursuit, Fatal Car Crash
DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT: 04-15-2018 @ 5:11 AM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: B&E, Pursuit, Fatal Car Crash
LOCATION OF INCIDENT: B&E at Black Arsenal Gun Store
Fatal Crash on M-139 near Rockey Weed
UPDATED PRESS RELEASE: 04/15/2018 at 19:00 Hours
According to the Michigan State Police they have been able to preliminarily identify the occupants of the vehicle in the crash from earlier this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of each of these individuals during this difficult time. They are as follows:
DRIVER:
Jamahri Jayshaun Fuller, male, 20 years of age, Benton Harbor MI 49022
Deceased
RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER:
Davion Marquez Patton, male, 17 years of age, Benton Harbor MI 49022
Deceased
REAR PASSENGER:
Allan Trevon-James Velox, 17 years of age, Benton Harbor MI 49022
Deceased
REAR PASSENGER:
Anton Duran Morgan, 17 years of age, Benton Harbor MI 49022
Currently at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids in critical condition
The Lincoln Township Police Department has confirmed that there were eight firearms stolen from the gun store and all eight firearms were recovered at the scene of the crash. There were three pistols, one shotgun and five rifles.
Original Press Release:
On Sunday, April 15, 2018 at approximately 05:11 hours a neighbor of the Black Arsenal Gun Store called the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch to report glass breakage. The caller was able to give a description of a gold four door SUV that left the scene toward Red Arrow Highway. The B&E was confirmed by the alarm company contacting dispatch reporting an active alarm. Area police agencies were advised of the situation and the vehicle description. Lincoln Township Police arrived on scene and were able to identify that several long guns were missing from the gun store.
At approximately 05:26 hours a Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a vehicle matching this description on I-94 eastbound near the 27 mile marker. The Deputy activated his emergency lighting and a traffic stop was initiated. The suspect vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway. After coming to a stop the vehicle then sped off eastbound on I-94. The Deputy then pursued the vehicle with his emergency lighting and siren activated. The pursuit continued eastbound on I-94 where the vehicle exited at M-139 and turned southbound toward Scottsdale. The vehicle continued southbound on M-139 where it lost control north of Rockey Weed Road and crashed into a large tree. There were a total of four occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Three of the occupants were pronounced deceased at the scene and one of the occupants was transported to Lakeland Hospital via Medic 1 Ambulance where he is in critical condition.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Michigan State Police to conduct the investigation into the crash. The MSP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team was activated along with the 5th District Special Investigation Section.
The names of the victims involved in this crash are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Any and all future inquiries regarding the crash investigation should be forwarded to the Michigan State Police. The point of contact is D/F/Lt Chuck Christensen at the Michigan State Police Headquarters in Paw Paw.
As standard operating procedures the deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and reviewed by the Berrien County Prosecutors Office. The names of the department will not be released until the investigation is completed.
A copy of the in-car video footage of the incident that was played at today’s press conference will be available during normal business hours at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Records Lobby located at 919 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
This is a tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the victims.
