Police

When the texts began coming in about a shooter at Michigan State University, training that many students started receiving as schoolchildren automatically kicked in. They ran. They found a place to hide. They locked and barricaded the doors. They turned out the lights. Then they waited as a gunman who killed three students and wounded five more eluded police for about four hours. …

A gunman who opened fire at Michigan State University killed three students and wounded five, setting off an hourslong manhunt as frightened students hid in classrooms and cars. The shooter eventually killed himself, police announced early Tuesday. Police at a news conference later Tuesday identified the gunman as 43-year-old Anthony McRae. They said he shot himself miles away from campus while being …

A man who was inspired by a church sermon to set fires at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kalamazoo was sentenced Monday to five years in prison. Joshua Brereton, 25, had pleaded guilty to committing arson at the clinic last July. The clinic was not open at the time. Planned Parenthood offers abortion services. Brereton has made videos calling abortion …

At least four more Michigan State football players facing misdemeanor charges for a skirmish inside the Michigan Stadium tunnel will likely have their cases dismissed in exchange for community service and other conditions, lawyers said Friday. “It’s going to happen outside of court,” said Max Manoogian, an attorney for Angelo Grose. “There is going to be no criminal responsibility whatsoever. …

A western Michigan man was charged Wednesday with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly firing an AR-15 rifle in celebration and killing two guests at his New Year’s party. Christopher Alan Toppenberg, 62, of Lawrence Township, also faces two gun charges. He is being held on a $1.5 million bond. It wasn’t clear whether Toppenberg has an attorney who might …

Authorities have identified two men who died after being shot when a man fired a gun in celebration during a fireworks display at a New Year’s part y in western Michigan. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the shooting killed David Reed, 35, of Waverly Township and Jason McCreary, 40, of Sutter Creek, California. Reed, who was shot in …

Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office issued a media release over the weekend related to a missing person. Portage resident Heather Kelley, 35, has been missing since Dec. 10, authorities said. Kelley is 5-foot-8 and weighs about 125 pounds. She has blond hair and blue eyes. Investigators said there is evidence to suggest Kelley may have been the victim of a violent …

A 32-year-old man died after a shooting at a Sturgis business. Authorities said Jeremy Lampaert died after he was shot around 6 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot at Country Hearth Inn and Suites. The business is located at the southeast corner of Fawn River and South Centreville roads. Witnesses said they believe the shooting was the result of an …

A police chief in southwestern Michigan is stepping down following allegations by three female city employees of discrimination, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley is on unpaid administrative leave and will retire effective Sunday with a severance package of more than $155,000, the Kalamazoo Gazette and WOOD-TV reported Thursday. Coakley has been with the public safety department for more …

Cass County deputies responded to a crash Tuesday in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4 p.m. to the intersection of Robbins Lake Road and Teasdale Lake Street. Investigators said Richard Shay, 44, of Jones, and his passenger, Rebecca Shay, 43, also of Jones, were traveling north on Robbins Lake Road. Meanwhile, David Ruth, 19, …