Contact: Sgt. Joy Matthews - 616.889.7636
Email: joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov
Supervisor Approval: Sgt. Bill Marks
Incident Type: Suspicious Death 

UPDATE on 05/22/2020 at 11:20am: On 05/20/2020 at 4:00pm, deputies from the Kent County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Kent St, south of E Muskegon St in the Village of Kent City, on a report of a person who had been shot. Deputies located a 61-year-old male who was deceased. He has been identified as Phillip Neale Potter. The Kent County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on 05/21/2020 and ruled the manner of death as a homicide. The 18-year-old arrested in this incident has been identified as Silas Edward Potter, who is the son of the deceased. On 05/22/2020, Silas Potter was arraigned in the 63rd District Court on charges of open murder and felony firearm related to this incident. Silas Potter is currently in custody at the Kent County Correctional Facility.

UPDATE on 05/20/2020 at 7:40 hours: Just before 4:00pm, deputies were dispatched on a report of a subject who had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies found a deceased 61-year-old male. A vehicle was observed leaving the scene. An 18-year old was taken into custody on a traffic stop and is currently with investigators. The victim's family has been notified.

KENT CITY: The Kent County Sheriff's Office is on the scene of a suspicious death investigation on Kent St in the Village of Kent City. It is early in the investigation, details will be forthcoming. Updates will be provided as soon as possible. There is no threat to the public.