Fri. Apr 26th, 2024

Police in Michigan have released the identities of a man, woman and their 6-year-old daughter who were killed in a suspected murder-suicide.

39-year-old Henry Bates his wife, 31-year-old Brianna Bates, and their daughter, 6-year-old Zenzia Bates, were found dead late Tuesday, August 30, at an apartment on East Milham Avenue near South Sprinkle Road.

Three other children, ages 13, 11, and 3, fled the home when the shooting started and were not injured.

Portage police responded around 9:20 p.m. to a report of a shooting and barricaded gunman in an upstairs apartment in the 4600 block of Milham. Police blocked off the area and requested assistance by Kalamazoo Metro SWAT.

Negotiators tried for two hours to contact those in the apartment but received no response. Police then entered the apartment and found the deceased family members who had been shot, police said.

Autopsies are pending.

Police asked anyone with information to call Portage Department of Public Safety at 329-4567 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

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By Buffy Gunner

Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. Mantra: Only YOU can be YOU. | Los Angeles Born | buffygunner@illicitdeeds.com

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