RANSOM TWP., MI - The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the Thursday, Feb. 12, shooting death of 47-year-old James Momenee.

No one has been arrested in connection with Momenee's death early Thursday on Tripp Road in southeastern Hillsdale County, and Sheriff Stan Burchardt declined to comment on any claim of self-defense.

"We feel we know who the shooter is, but we are still processing evidence," Burchardt said Monday, Feb. 16.

"It will be up to the prosecutor to decide if we have criminal charges or there is something else, and we are a long ways from that."

Deputies were called at 1:43 a.m. to 10251 Tripp Road for a domestic violence complaint involving a married couple. There, they found Momenee dead of "an apparent gunshot wound." Burchardt declined to say where Momenee was shot.

Michael said he fired once while Momenee was fighting with Michael's daughter, Angela Momenee. Momenee, who Michael said had a history of violence, kept "going after" Angela Momenee, and was making threats, Michael said. Momenee threatened to kill Angela Momenee and anyone who got in his way, Angela Momenee said.

The couple had been "going at it" inside Michael's home, where they were staying because they had lost their house, Michael said. Their two adult daughters and a 2-year-old grandchild also were present.

Burchardt said investigators are trying to sort through the information they have.

The Michigan State Police crime lab is involved and deputies are taking their time, he said. "These things don't happen overnight."

When asked about why the shooter had not been arrested, Burchardt said authorities have to assure "he is the shooter and why he shot." Police are consulting with the prosecutor, he said, and investigators are continuing their inquiry as instructed.