Murder charge in Wimbledon Apt death

WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) - A 21-year-old man was arraigned on two charges in connection to the shooting death of Jason Arntz in a Grandville apartment early Sunday morning.

Daniel Chinchak was emotionless as he was formally charged with second-degree murder and felony firearm after Arntz was shot to death around 12:20 a.m.

Arntz was 22.

On Sunday, Grandville Police told 24 Hour News 8 Arntz was only visiting, and they believe an argument and alcohol led to the shooting.

"The shots took place inside the apartment, I believe in the kitchen area. A 45 caliber handgun," said Grandville Deputy Chief Dan Steere. "The victim suffered a head wound."

Court documents show Chinchak told investigators he had a .45 caliber gun in his waistband and put it on the kitchen counter, then told his friend Arntz to leave because, he said, Arntz was threatening and drunk.

But then, he told police, he picked up the gun, raised it and retreated from Arntz. That's when Arntz reached for the gun and said he was going to take the pistol away from Chinchak.

Chinchak pulled the trigger, he said, in self-defense.

He thought the gun was empty and he pulled the trigger to scare Arntz, he said, adding the gun wasn't supposed to be loaded.

But police checked the gun and found the chamber was full, except for the one bullet that struck Arntz in the forehead.

In documents related to the case, eyewitness Daniel Higgins told police he believed both Chinchak and Arntz had been drinking.

In an interview with 24 Hour News 8 on Sunday night, Higgins said , "I've never seen anything like that in my life. Horseplaying--something happened. Gun went bang."

Higgins said there was no fighting or yelling before the shooting took place and that he doesn't know why the shot was fired.

Chinchak's baby son and fiancee were asleep in the apartment when the incident took place.

Chinchak is being held in the Kent County Jail and, if convicted, faces up to life in prison.