BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A 20-year-old man has died after being shot Friday evening at the Blossom Acres Housing Complex in Benton Township, authorities said, prompting a multi-agency investigation into the fatal shooting.
According to the Benton Township Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, following a report of a shooting near the intersection of Blossom Lane and Concord.
Victim Found With Gunshot Wound
When officers arrived, they found a 20-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers and emergency responders provided medical assistance before the victim was transported to Corewell Health for further treatment.
Despite medical efforts, the victim later died from his injuries, police said.
Authorities have not yet publicly released the victim’s name.
Investigation Underway
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear. Police have not released information indicating what may have prompted the gunfire, whether the shooting was targeted or whether multiple people were involved.
At this time, authorities have also not publicly identified a suspect or announced any arrests in connection with the homicide.
Investigators are expected to work to determine what happened immediately before the shooting, identify any witnesses and collect available evidence from the area.
Multiple Agencies Respond
The investigation brought together officers, deputies, state police and federal investigators, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
Agencies involved in the response included:
Benton Township Police Department
Michigan State Police
Berrien County Sheriff’s Department
Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety
FBI Safe Streets Task Force
Medic 1 Ambulance
Benton Township Fire Department
The cooperation among the agencies is expected to assist investigators as they reconstruct the events surrounding the shooting.
Blossom Acres Has Seen Previous Gun Violence
The fatal shooting occurred at a housing complex that has previously been the scene of reported gun violence. In an earlier 2022 case, police investigated the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Antoine Fox at Blossom Acres. Earlier incidents have also been reported around Blossom Lane and Concord.
Those previous incidents do not establish a connection to Friday’s shooting, and authorities have not indicated that the cases are related.
Police Seek Information
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or who has information that could help identify those responsible to come forward.
Information can be provided to the Benton Township Police Department at 269-925-1135 or to Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP. Tips may also be submitted through the Benton Township Police Department’s Facebook page.
Anyone who was in the Blossom Lane and Concord area around the time of the shooting and may have seen suspicious activity is encouraged to contact investigators.
Developing Investigation
The investigation remains active, and additional information may be released as detectives continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence.
The victim’s death marks another fatal act of gun violence in the Benton Township community, leaving investigators with the task of determining exactly what happened and who was responsible.
This is a developing story. Information will be updated as authorities release additional details.
