Update: Shots fired near Western Michigan University campus led to arrest on multiple counts

Ambrosia Neldon
News Editor

Update: Patrick Russell was arraigned Monday at 11:30 a.m. on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, obstructing police, and possession of a stolen handgun. Russell, whose criminal record includes assault, drugs and resisting police, could face jail time if convicted.

Authorities said they have dealt with dumpster fires, parties and assaults the last few weekends around Western Michigan University’s campus and had extra patrol units in the area the night the shots were fired.

A 19 year-old Kalamazoo man was arrested after shooting a gun in a crowded parking lot early Sunday morning, according to police.

There were no reported injuries.

According to a press release from Kalamazoo Public Safety, KPS officers were addressing a crowd of approximately 200 people in a parking lot in the 2800 block of West Michigan Ave., when the incident occurred. The shots were fired at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, just west of Western Michigan University’s campus.

“Sgt. Scott Smith observed a person in the crowd raise what appeared to be a handgun and fire three shots into the air.  The crowd of people began scattering in different directions and Sgt. Smith and PSO Wiedbrauk chased the suspect as he ran from the area,” according to the press release.

The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect threw the .38 caliber 5-shot revolver under a parked vehicle. The revolver was retrieved by police officers and later discovered to have been stolen from a Parchment home.

The male suspect was arrested on counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, obstructing police and possession of a stolen handgun. He was lodged at the Kalamazoo City Jail and is awaiting arraignment.

Kalamazoo Public Safety is requesting anyone with information about this crime to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994, the Criminal Investigation Division at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

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