Two people are now charged in connection to a shooting in Benton Harbor after an apparent robbery-gone-bad.
It was Wednesday, April 7, when police heard gunfire in the area of Brunson Avenue and Dr. Daniel Cook. At the scene, they found a 28-year-old man who was shot in the face.
Police then, surrounded an apartment located in the 300 block of Brunson after finding out the suspects were inside. A search of the apartment uncovered guns, shell casings and drugs. James Micken Jr., 33, and Verdell Washington Jr., 27, face a slew of charges including armed robbery and assault with intent to murder.
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety released the following information:
On 04/07/2021 at approximately 9:30AM, officers heard multiple gunshots atop the hill in front of BHDPS.
Officers realized the shots were coming from the area of Brunson and Dr. Daniel Cook. The 5th District MSP Fugitive Team happened to be in town on an unrelated case. Upon hearing the shots while standing in the BHDPS parking lot, they immediately proceeded to the location. They located a male subject, 28, who they identified as a victim, with a possible gunshot wound to the face area. Upon further examination, it was found that he had been grazed in the face by a bullet.
The location of the incident was identified as 320 Brunson Ave. That location was quickly surround due to the suspects being inside in the upper apartment.
Other responding officers arrived to assist in surrounding the residence and providing cover so that the victim could be moved to an awaiting ambulance which took him to Spectrum-Lakeland to receive treatment for his injuries.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Services Team with the assistance of the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, MSP SWET-West Narcotics Unit, MSP Major Crimes Unit, Berrien County Sheriff’s Tactical Response Unit, executed a search warrant at the suspected scene of the crime of 320 Brunson. During the search of the residence; 3 handguns were located. Additionally, officers seized an ounce of powder cocaine, 15 pills of
suspected methamphetamine.
During the processing of the crime scene, multiple shell casings and projectiles were located.
The incident appears to have all transpired from a robbery that was meant to occur inside the residence of 320 Brunson Ave.
Two individuals were arrested for this incident:
1. JAMES LEE MICKEN JR. (age 33)
2. VERDELL WASHINGTON JR. (age 27)
Both suspects have been charged for (1) Armed Robbery, (2) Assault W/ Intent to Murder, (3) Possession of Cocaine, (4) Possession of Methamphetamine, (5) Possession of Firearm by Felon, and (5) Parole Violations.
The victim is expected to make a full recovery.
