Niles community react to serious shootings on Sunday

NILES, Mich. — The community in Niles expressed frustration after two serious shootings on Sunday morning. 

According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, someone shot out of a car at a 32-year-old man several times while that man stood outside of his car at the Berrien Woods Apartment Complex. Police said the man was shot several times but was in stable condition. 

Two hours later, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office said someone shot and killed 18-year-old Dayman Chatman at a party on Yankee Street. 

“This whole concept of grabbing a gun to deal with every problem that comes up is ridiculous,” said Jerry Grooms, who has lived in Niles for more than 40 years. 

Officials with Cass and Berrien County Sheriff’s Office said they do not have suspects in custody for either of the shootings. Beth Mills said she and her husband have considered leaving Niles because they claim there’s too much violence. 

“There are too many innocent lives getting taken out here,” Mills said. 

Grooms said gun violence isn’t just a problem in Niles. 

“This whole thing of people grabbing guns to deal with their problems is happening all over the place and it’s got to come to a stop,” said Grooms. 

Anyone with information on the Yankee St. incident is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff's Office dispatch at 269-445-1560 or the Cass County tip line at 1800-462-9328. You can also text your tip to CRIMES (274637).

The Berrien Woods investigation is active and anyone with information is urged to contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit or Detective Bureau at 269-983-7141, ext. 7224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-900-342-7867.