Columbus Ave Murder

A 21-year-old Benton Harbor man has died following a shooting early Sunday morning, according to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired during the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. During their response and subsequent investigation, officers located an injured male victim.

Investigators later determined the shooting occurred in the 700 block of Lavette Street. Initial calls for service referenced the 600 block of Columbus Avenue.

The victim was treated at the scene and transported by Medic 1 ambulance to Corewell Health in St. Joseph, where he later died from his injuries. He has been identified as Demarius Porter, 21, a Benton Harbor resident.

An autopsy conducted at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)in Kalamazoo determined the cause of death to be fatal injuries from gunfire.

Assisting agencies include the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Charter Township Police Department, St. Joseph Department of Public Safety, and the Michigan State Police.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Wresinski at 616-401-1368 or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-7867.

This remains an ongoing investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Michael R. Clark

Deputy Director

Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety