2 shot in apartment; shooter at large

GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - At least two people were shot at an apartment complex just outside of the Kentwood city line on Friday afternoon, authorities say.

Both male victims were shot inside a unit at the Woodfield Apartment complex just off 60th Street around 3 p.m., according to Lt. Jeff McAlary of the Kent County Sheriff's Department.

Neighbors told 24 Hour News 8 that they heard about six or seven shots in a row.

One of the victims, a male in his 20s, was found shot in the chest in that complex's parking lot, McAlary told 24 Hour News 8.

The other victim, also in his 20s, was shot in the side. He called police and was found near a post on a drive at Sutton Club Apartments at 1480 Hidden Valley Drive in Kentwood, not far from the Kalamazoo Avenue Rite Aid. That apartment complex is only a few blocks from Woodfield Apartments.

Both victims have been taken to separate local hospitals with "severe injuries."

Authorities believe the man shot in the side was dropped off near Sutton Club Apartments by a third party, McAlary said. Authorities are still looking for that party, who is described as a tall, skinny, black male in his late 20s driving a 2004 black Chrysler Pacifica.

Authorities believe that man was somehow involved in the shooting, but they are not calling him a suspect or even a person of interest at this time.

As of around 5 p.m., authorities were still waiting for a search warrant to enter and process the apartment where the shooting happened.

"This incident was witnessed by a number of people that were inside the apartment and portions of the subject fleeing was witnessed. All of those people have spoken to us at this point," McAlary told 24 Hour News 8.

Authorities say they do not know who the shooter is.

The sheriff's department was in contact with school officials because a middle school was letting out as they were investigating around Woodfield Apartments. Teachers or officers walked students to their apartments.

Neither neighbors nor police know of any past problems with this unit, but those who live nearby said this is the third shooting that's happened at the complex recently.

"It's been going on a while around here ... Shootings," said Woodfield Apartments neighbors who wanted to remain anonymous. "There was a standoff and we called corporate about it. We told him we wanted out of our lease because our daughter don't like to go outside and play, but we've heard shootings since May."