The start of summer saw several violent incidents in Grand Rapids. Four people were shot, two fatally, and one man was stabbed last weekend in four events across the city.
A Grand Rapids Police Department officer shot and killed a man on Saturday after the man attempted to stab the officer, jack a car at knifepoint, break into a home, and throw Molotov cocktails at a police cruiser. The man, Eddie Deans Jr., had served time for a murder as a teenager and had a long history of mental illness, WOODTV reported.
Police were called to a house at about 1:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of Alpine Avenue for reports of a man threatening family members with a knife. After GRPD arrived, the man threw a lit Molotov cocktail at a police cruiser, which caught fire. Police were able to extinguish the flames.
After unsuccessfully attempting to communicate with the man, GRPD used a “less lethal weapon” but were unable to apprehend him. The man ran off and unsuccessfully attempted a carjacking. Police then used a K-9 to apprehend the suspect, but the man stabbed the K-9 three times. The K-9, named Digo, is at home with his handler after receiving emergency treatment at an animal hospital for a stab wound to his head.
Police located the man attempting to break into a home through its back door. There, GRPD says he charged officers with a knife. A GRPD officer shot him multiple times after attempts to apprehend the man with another “less lethal weapon” failed. The man died from his injuries on the scene after life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.
The officer who shot the man is on administrative leave, per GRPD policy, as Michigan State Police investigate the shooting.
The other fatal shooting took place on the southeast side. GRPD has not released any personal details of the victim, who died on the scene. Police were called at around 12:30 a.m. on Monday at Francis Avenue SE near Griggs Street SE for reports of a shooting. No suspects have been arrested, and an investigation is ongoing.
Two people were also injured in a shooting in Rosa Parks Circle early Sunday morning. A teenager was shot in the forearm. Bullet fragments hit another man in the foot shortly before 1:30 a.m. Both injuries were not life-threatening. GRPD is investigating the shooting.
One man was stabbed in Grand Rapids’ south side. Police were called to Albany Street SW near Ionia Avenue SW around 8:25 p.m. on Sunday over reports of a man and a woman arguing. When police arrived, the man had been stabbed, and officers arrested the woman.
Anyone with information on either of the shootings with active investigations can contact GRPD detectives at 616-456-3380. Tips can also be sent safely and anonymously through Silent Observer via their phone line (616-774-2345), website, or app.
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