Two Battle Creek men have been formally charged in the April 12 shooting that resulted in the death of Kalamazoo security guard Montine Wiley, who was 27 years old. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) identified the suspects in the case, which transpired outside a private event at a business on E. North Street.
Kaiden Tanner Cole, 18, is facing charges including Homicide - Open Murder, Felony Firearm, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon, as reported by WZZM 13. Denied bond during his arraignment, Cole turned himself in amid what he felt to be "the mounting pressure" from the investigation and evolving media spotlight. In a related charge, 22-year-old Damonte Christopher Jenkins-Gooden is accused of Tampering with Evidence – Criminal Case Punishable by Over 10 Years and Felony Firearm, and he received a $10,000 cash/surety bond, as confirmed by WWMT.
The incident occurred when an altercation broke out between Wiley and a patron attempting to gain entry into the venue. KDPS officers found Wiley with a gunshot wound to his chest and began CPR; however, he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The investigation, followed by tips from the community and surveillance video, led to the identification and arrest of the two suspects. Publicity stemming from the case was instrumental, with Captain Danielle Guilds of KDPS stating, "These were not Kalamazoo residents. Mr. Cole came here and brought violence into our community,” as detailed in an interview by FOX 17.
Ahead of an event’s escalation, which saw a crowd of approximately 200-250 people outside the venue, staff members from Green Door Distilling had reached out to KDPS for crowd management. The original promotion for a DJ-led event had spiraled beyond capacity agreements as fliers circulated online, as per statements obtained by WWMT. Both Cole and Jenkins-Gooden are scheduled to return to court for further hearings.
