GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A number of close-proximity, but unrelated shootings on Grand Rapids’ southeast side in November brought shooting statistics up to the same level as this time in 2024. The shootings, practical policing changes and potential future solutions to gun violence were discussed at Tuesday’s Grand Rapids Public Safety Commission meeting.
Chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department, Eric Winstrom, addressed the isolated flare of violence, maintaining that none of the incidents appear to be related.
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“Essentially, we had a short of perfect storm of coincidence, in a time that is typically very peaceful in Grand Rapids,” he said. “Along with that coincidence, it was all geographically located in the same place. It’s extremely alarming and frustrating for the residents there, and extremely frustrating and concerning for us as well.”
Overall, the number of people shot in Grand Rapids is slightly lower than previous years, but the deaths in November pushed the number of fatal shootings level with 2024. In light of those incidents on the Southeast side, GRPD is making some practical changes…