“There was one subject down that was a juvenile and there was a second subject down that was an adult female.”
During a briefing to reporters, interim Grand Rapids Police Chief Joe Trigg said the confrontation Tuesday evening outside of Southwest Elementary School started when the alleged shooter was not allowed to join a soccer game.
“Bunch of kids were playing at the park here. The suspect approached, asked to engage in a game of soccer. For whatever reason he was turned away. A verbal altercation started which led to the suspect pulling out a firearm and shooting that juvenile.”
Trigg says the woman, in her 30’s, was shot after entering the argument.
“When there was a verbal exchange between the suspect and the first victim, that adult female interjected and then became a target.”
The shooter then ran away.
“The suspect fled. Our investigation led is to a residence and he is in custody.”
The school district says Southwest Elementary and Southwest Middle High are closed today to give the neighborhood time to process what happened.
“There was a least 7 or 8 kids that were out here, older juveniles that witnessed this, which is just horrific to see a friend gunned down.”
