COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Family members say Christopher Neal, the young husband shot during a home invasion in Comstock Township over the weekend, was expecting a second child.
Neal’s wife, now 10 weeks along, was preparing to make that announcement to loved ones before the fatal shooting occurred.
The two, along with their 2-year-old daughter, were watching TV Sunday night when 35-year-old William Jones broke into their home on Proctor Avenue, held the family hostage, fatally shot Neal, and then injured three officers while attempting to flee the scene.
The officers, a Kalamazoo Public Safety officer, a Kalamazoo County deputy, and a Michigan State Police trooper all received non-life threatening injuries and were released from the hospital.
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting told WOOD-TV that there will be strict accountability and consequences for Jones, who faces over a dozen charges and could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted.
According to Neal’s obituary, the 22-year-old was born in Kaufman, Texas, joined the U.S. Navy, met his wife while in service, and moved to Comstock Township where he “was thrilled to be hired at Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek.”
A fundraiser has been set up to help his family with funeral expenses.
