Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
BENTON HARBOR, MI – A man shot and killed an armed intruder late Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Briarwood Apartments, Benton Township police said.
Seven people, including three children, were in the apartment but none of them were hurt in the shootout.
The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Two masked intruders, armed with handguns, broke into an apartment at 1915 Union Ave. in Berrien County’s Benton Township, police said.
They ordered the occupants in the living room to “get down," police said.
The renter, who was in a bedroom, heard the commotion. He armed himself with a rifle and came out. When he encountered one of the intruders, armed with a handgun, the two exchanged gunfire. The alleged attackers fled, firing shots at the apartment as they left, Benton Township police said.
Police were looking for the intruders when they found one of them on the pavement outside of the apartment complex.
The man suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Life-saving efforts were not successful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have not identified the other man involved in the break-in. A Berrien County sheriff’s tracking dog was not able to find the man.
Three men, a woman and three children were in the apartment when the shooting happened, detective Lt. Michael DenDooven said.
Police identified the deceased suspect using a portable fingerprint identification machine. His name was not immediately released.
Police asked anyone with information to call Benton Township Police Department Detective Bureau at 269-925-1135 or Crime Stoppers 574-288-STOP.
Several police agencies responded with Benton Township police, including Baroda Township police, Berrien County sheriff’s deputies and state police.