MUSKEGON, Mich. — The streets of Jackson Hill fell silent Saturday afternoon as police rushed to a home on the 600 block of Jackson Avenue near McLaren Street. Inside, they found gunfire shattered a quiet moment — and several lives forever changed.
When officers arrived around 3:15 p.m., they discovered a 25-year-old man slumped and unresponsive. He was later identified as Joshua Fondren Jr., and unfortunately, pronounced dead at the scene.
Elsewhere in the house, a 22-year-old woman, later named Cori Marie-May Watts, was found critically wounded. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Two other 25-year-old men were also shot; both remain hospitalized and in critical condition, according to statements from the Muskegon Police Department (MPD).
A 4-year-old child was grazed by a bullet during the chaos. Thankfully, the youngster suffered only minor injuries and is expected to be released from the hospital soon.
Authorities described the shooting as likely not random. Investigators believe the people inside may have known each other, and preliminary leads suggest a possible robbery connection — though nothing about motive has been confirmed.
By Sunday, MPD said a “person of interest” was in custody as the investigation continues, but stressed they were not yet ready to publicly confirm the individual’s identity or any direct link to the shooting.
In nearby homes, neighbors comforted each other with disbelief. The mother of Joshua — grief-stricken and numb — spoke through tears, calling him “the life of the party,” a loyal friend, and a devoted father to an 8-month-old son, and another baby on the way. “Saying his name just hurts,” she said.
As the community reels, leaders are urging unity. Officials said extra patrols would help reassure residents, and asked anyone with information to reach out to MPD or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer.
