Police & Fire: Man suspected of shooting sister; woman bites off end of boyfriend's finger

Trace Christenson | Battle Creek Enquirer

SISTER SHOT: A 22-year-old woman was shot in the back and Battle Creek police are seeking her brother as the suspect. Police said at least seven shots were fired into an apartment in the first block of Laura Lane about 1:18 a.m. Monday. One of the shots grazed the back of the woman and she was taken to Bronson Battle Creek for treatment. She told police the shots were fired into the bedroom of her nephews, ages 6 and 7. The victim's sister, 26, and another woman also were in the apartment but no other injuries were reported. The 26-year-old sister had called officers at 10:33 p.m. Sunday and said she was pushed by her brother because she objected to a verbal confrontation her brother had with one of her sons. The brother, 20, left before police arrived and his sister said he was armed with a 9 mm handgun. The younger sister told officers that her brother returned and was knocking on the door but she refused to open it. A short time later she heard gunshots from outside the south side of the apartment. The three adults and the two children fled to a hallway but the 22-year-old victim said she was struck at some point. The man is being sought on five counts of assault with intent to murder.

FINGER SEVERED: A 29-year-old man was arrested after Battle Creek police said he assaulted his former girlfriend but during a struggle she bit off the tip of his finger. Officers were called at 2:33 a.m. Monday to the first block of East Goguac Street and found the woman, 28, locked in her car. The woman told officers she recently separated from the father of her children and he had come to the house earlier on Sunday but they argued and he left. He returned about 2 a.m. Monday and she allowed him inside but they began to argue again and when he began to leave he took the keys to her car. She fought with him and took back the keys but he put his arms around her neck, struck her in the face and pulled her hair. She tried to get away but he grabbed her again outside and when he put his hand around her face and put his left index finger in her mouth she bit him, severing the tip. She spit it out and police found it on the outside stairs. He was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment and then to the Calhoun County jail.

POWER POLE HIT: Electric service was knocked out Tuesday afternoon to residences and businesses on Capital Avenue south of Beckley Road after a crash at 12:17 p.m. Battle Creek police said a 25-year-old man was southbound in the 3200 block of Capital Avenue Southwest when he suffered a medical problem and his SUV went off the road and knocked down a power pole. The man had to stay in the vehicle until Consumers Energy workers could cut the power. The man was then taken by LifeCare Ambulance to Bronson Battle Creek. Battle Creek firefighters assisted.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Battle Creek police have reported the following cases:

• A warrant is being sought for a man, 22, after his wife, 21, said she was assaulted in the first block of Somerset Avenue at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. She went to Spectrum Health in Hastings for treatment and returned to Battle Creek on Sunday to report the assault.

• A woman, 19, was arrested after her boyfriend, 19, said he was assaulted in the 3600 block of Halbert Road in Bedford Township at 4:19 p.m. Sunday.

• A man, 48, was arrested after his girlfriend, 49, said she was assaulted in the 100 block of Gardner Avenue in Bedford Township at 2 p.m. Sunday.

• A warrant is being sought for a man, 23, after his former girlfriend, 21, and her new boyfriend, 21, said they were assaulted in the 100 block of Foster Avenue at 10:57 a.m. Sunday.

• A man, 57, was arrested after his girlfriend, 48, said she was assaulted in the 100 block of Arlington Drive in Bedford Township at 7:04 a.m. Sunday.

• A man, 19, was arrested after his girlfriend, 18, said she was assaulted in the 100 block of Rambling Road at 8:48 p.m. Saturday.

THEFTS: • Pomps Tire Service, 4251 W. Columbia Ave.: four tires. • Lakeshore Drive, 300 block: cash, purse from vehicle. • Glenn Valley Drive, 5300 block: laptop from vehicle.

Call Silent Observer at 269-964-3888 or text CRIMES (274637) SOTIP or see www.crimereports.com with information about crimes.