Homicide near Dowagiac

Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. reports that his office is investigating a homicide on Flanders Street in Wayne Township, which is east of the City of Dowagiac. Cass County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a residence at 24639 Flanders Street at approximately 9:39pm Tuesday. The caller advised that there were shots fired in the residence and there was a need for emergency response. When Deputies arrived on scene at 9:48pm they noticed a 9 year old female coming out of the residence followed by an older adult male subject. Both did not have any injuries and surrendered to emergency personnel. Officers then secured the residence to find an adult female had been fatally shot.  The male subject was taken into custody for questioning and the child was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac for examination but no injuries were noted at the scene. Preliminary investigation shows that there was a verbal argument between the male subject and deceased female prior to the shots being fired.  It appears that this incident is contained to this residence and there is no need for concern in the neighboring community.