PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Police in Portage say a man shot and killed a woman and child Tuesday night, and then shot himself.
Three other children reportedly escaped the home when they heard the gunshots.
The Portage Department of Public Safety says it appeared to be a domestic violence incident.
Earlier in the night, Portage Public Safety negotiators were trying to communicate with a man, who had barricaded himself in an apartment with a woman and young child.
SWAT teams had been called to the scene, in the 4600 block of East Milham, east of South Sprinkle road near the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport in Portage.
When police arrived, they surrounded the home and attempted to make contact with the people inside, and were unable to do so.
The deceased are identified as 39-year-old Henry Bates of Portage, his wife 31-year-old Brianna Bates, and their 6-year-old daughter Zenzia Bates.
Their three other children, ages 13, 11, and 3, fled the apartment as the shooting started and were not injured.
Police were originally called to the apartment complex at about 9:30 p.m. on a report of multiple shots fired.
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