BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — One person is dead and another is in custody after a stabbing in Battle Creek.
It happened around 5:30 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of Cherry Street near Penn Street.
Battle Creek Police were called to a report of a stabbing, located the victim on scene, and were told that the suspect may have left out the back door.
Authorities located the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Wendell Barton, walking approximately a block away from the incident’s location.
Officers attempted to detain Barton but he assaulted them and fled on foot. After fleeing, a perimeter was set up and officers once again located Barton a short time later and took him into custody.
The victim was identified as 38-year-old Justin Ash. Life saving measures were attempted but Ash was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Detective Bureau and Crime lab are assisting with the investigation and lab personnel are actively processing the crime scene.
Battle Creek Police confirmed that the weapon used was a knife and it was located at the scene.
Barton was booked into the Calhoun County Jail for charges of open murder and resisting police.
No other details have been released at this time.
