DOWAGIAC, Mich. — A summer night turned deadly in the city of Dowagiac, and now police are urgently seeking the public’s help in locating a person of interest connected to the tragic shooting of a 19-year-old Benton Harbor man.
According to the Dowagiac Police Department, the incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night in the area of Cherry Street near Halstead Street. Authorities say a heated argument broke out between two men during a gathering or party, and that confrontation escalated into gunfire.
The 19-year-old victim, whose identity has not yet been released pending notification of family, reportedly fled the scene on foot after being shot. Friends quickly came to his aid and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts and those of emergency medical staff, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police are now looking for 24-year-old Demorrio Lowes of Cassopolis, identifying him as a person of interest in the fatal shooting. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether Lowes was directly involved in the altercation or the shooting itself, but say he is someone they urgently need to question.
The Search for Justice
The tragedy has left the victim’s family and friends reeling, and the community shaken by the violence that erupted in a neighborhood that residents say is usually peaceful.
“You hear about these things on the news, but you don’t expect them to happen right here in Dowagiac,” said one nearby resident who asked not to be identified. “That young man didn’t deserve to lose his life like that. It’s heartbreaking.”
As part of their ongoing investigation, police have increased patrols in the area and are conducting interviews with witnesses who attended the gathering. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses is also being reviewed.
Demorrio Lowes is described as a 24-year-old Black male from Cassopolis. Authorities are asking anyone who may know his whereabouts or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious Saturday night to come forward. They caution that Lowes should not be approached and that anyone with information should call law enforcement immediately.
How You Can Help
If you have any information about the incident or the location of Demorrio Lowes, please contact the Dowagiac Police Department or call Cass County Crime Stoppers at (800) 342-STOP. Tips can be given anonymously, and in some cases, cash rewards may be offered for information leading to an arrest.
As of Sunday night, no arrests have been made, and the name of the victim is being withheld out of respect for the family.
The investigation remains active, and police are urging the community to remain calm but vigilant.
A Community Grieves
While the details continue to unfold, the emotional toll is already being felt across Benton Harbor and Dowagiac. Friends of the victim have begun to post tributes on social media, remembering him as a kind and loyal young man with a promising future ahead.
“He was always smiling, always trying to lift people up,” wrote one friend. “We can’t believe he’s gone. This isn’t fair.”
Community leaders are also calling for peace and unity, stressing the need to prevent further violence and to support the grieving family.
As authorities work to piece together exactly what led to the deadly confrontation, one truth remains painfully clear: another young life has been lost to senseless violence, and another family is left to mourn in the wake of unimaginable grief.
This is a developing story. WNDU will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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