NEWS

Craigslist ruse ends with two shot in Urbandale

Trace Christenson
Battle Creek Enquirer

Two people were shot Tuesday night in Urbandale after they attempted to rob a father and son looking for a car to buy, police said.

“This was a Craigslist deal gone bad,” said Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker. “They were some folks from Grand Rapids who were looking for a car and were jumped by three attackers.”

During the attack the son pulled a revolver and fired shots, hitting two of the attackers in the chest, Blocker said.

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“As the fight started he drew his firearm and started to fire,” Blocker said.

The shooting occurred in the 600 block of Linwood Avenue about 8 p.m.

Blocker said the father and son had come to Battle Creek to look at a car advertised on the internet classified advertising site.

They had been directed to an address they found didn’t exist and were jumped by three men.

Blocker said the son, who has a license to carry a concealed firearm, pulled out the revolver and fired at least two shots.

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All three of the attackers fled. Police found one on North Broadway Boulevard and the second on Woodlawn Avenue. Both had suffered gunshot wounds to the chest. They were taken by ambulance to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Blocker said he did not know anything about their conditions.

The third attacker was not found and police are continuing their search. Blocker said he is unsure whether the man was wounded.

The Grand Rapids father and son, who were not hurt, went to the McDonald’s Restaurant at 1695 W. Michigan Ave. to call for police.

Blocker said they were taken to the Battle Creek Police Department for questioning.

Officers recovered the revolver used in the shooting. Blocker said police are unsure whether the attackers were armed.

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Detectives were continuing their investigation.

“This case is still developing,” Blocker said.

Contact Trace Christenson at 966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson