SPARTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — One man is dead and another is in critical condition after a suspected road rage shooting on M-37 near Sparta, authorities say.
Around 3:21 a.m. Monday, Kent County sheriff’s deputies were called to the 9000 block of southbound M-37 between 10 Mile and 11 Mile roads, near Sparta Chevrolet in Sparta Township.
When deputies arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds lying on the ground near a stopped vehicle.
One of the men, identified as 20-year-old Donald Dudley of Bailey, died after the shooting, authorities said. The other man, identified as 18-year-old Benjamin Dudley of Bailey, was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital where he was listed in critical condition Monday morning.
Lt. Al Roteman from the Kent County Sheriff Department said the Wyoming woman in the vehicle and the alleged shooter authorities identified as 43-year-old Robert Chipman Jr. of Newaygo, were not injured.
Roteman said the two wounded men and the woman were in one vehicle and Chipman was in another vehicle.
The sheriff’s department tells the Associated Press that both vehicles involved in the incident pulled into a parking lot after an alleged road rage incident. Chipman told deputies he shot both men during a physical fight.
Roteman said the alleged shooter is cooperating in the investigation. He was the one who called 911 after the incident, dispatchers said.
The 22-year-old woman said she drove away from the scene after hearing the gunfire. She also called 911, authorities said.
Authorities found the gun at the scene. Roteman said Chipman had a valid Michigan Concealed Pistol License.
Authorities shut down M-37 from 10 Mile Road to 12 Mile Road to investigate. The road reopened shortly before 7 a.m.
Detectives plan to interview Benjamin Dudley “when his medical condition allows.” They plan to forward the investigation onto the prosecutor to determine if any criminal charges should be filed in the case.
Authorities said they are not identifying Chipman as a suspect or the men who were shot as victims until they determine the circumstances of the shooting.