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Walker Murder-Suicide: One Dead, Two Hospitalized After Domestic Shooting at Home With Decades of Police History

One man is dead and two family members are hospitalized after a suspected murder-suicide shooting at a Walker home with decades of domestic disturbance calls. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

By||2 sources cited

A deadly shooting unfolded in a Walker home Monday morning, leaving one man dead and two family members hospitalized.

Walker Police responded just after 7:30 a.m. Monday to a residence near the intersection of Bristol Avenue Northwest and Vinecroft Avenue Northwest after receiving reports that a man had shot someone inside and remained in the home.

Officers found a 64-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to area hospitals. Police say their injuries appear to be non-life-threatening, although the woman underwent emergency surgery Monday.

Investigators later discovered a 68-year-old man dead inside the garage from what police say appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities believe that man was the shooter.

"There were three individuals that were shot. One is deceased, two were hurt and transported to area hospitals with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries," said Walker Police Detective Sergeant Joel Bartels.

A domestic dispute with a long history

Police say all three individuals involved are related and described the situation as a domestic-related family dispute.

"All of the people that were involved in this are related in a domestic type relationship, so there is no ongoing threat to the public," Bartels said.

As detectives processed the scene Monday, crews with the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office removed the suspected shooter's body from the garage. Detectives searched both the home and a vehicle parked in the driveway.

The address itself has a troubling history with law enforcement. According to Bartels, incident reports connected to the property date back more than 60 years. Those records predate the formation of the Walker Police Department in 1965.

"We do have a history at this address for different types of calls like domestics," Bartels said.

Neighbors shocked by the violence

Residents in the area said the neighborhood is typically quiet and the events caught many off guard.

"This is tragic. It's really tragic," said Sue Zeeff, a Grand Rapids resident who was in the area during the police response.

Zeeff pointed to a reality many domestic violence victims face.

"From what I've seen in my time, a lot of people that are in domestic violence relationships, they're so afraid and intimidated. They don't get the help because they're always afraid, they're going to be found anyway," Zeeff said.

What to do if you have information

Police continue processing evidence and say there is no threat to the public. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Walker Police Department Tip Line at (616)-791-6788 and to reference incident 26-5923.

murder-suicidedomestic violenceshootingWalker PoliceKent County

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