A large gathering outside of the Orchards Mall in Benton Township early this morning, Sunday, June 7th, turned deadly when three young men were shot, one of them killed in the incident which remains under investigation.
Benton Township Police Chief Brian Smit says his department was dispatched just before 2am this morning along with the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police after reports of gunfire at the mall.
Three men ranging in age from 18 to 20 years old had been taken to Spectrum Health Lakeland with gunshot wounds, according to Chief Smit. An 18 year old man was killed in the incident, a 19 year old was seriously wounded and a 20 year old sustain non-life-threatening injuries.
Police were told that a large gathering outside of the mall had been underway when shooting started, but there was no indication as to what lead to the gunfire.
Authorities are still trying to piece together what transpired, and they are asking anyone with any information to contact the Benton Township Police Department Detective Bureau at 269-925-1135.
The large gathering and subsequent shooting are under investigation by multiple departments today.
