KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety announced charges on Friday in a homicide that's remained unsolved since 2018.
According to police, 27-year-old James Edward Reed Jr. of Grand Rapids has been identified and charged as a suspect in the homicide of 32-year-old Marcus Kyle Ford of Kalamazoo.
On Nov. 17, 2018, at 1:32 a.m. KDPS responded to a shooting in the 600 block of Douglas Avenue.
When police arrived, they found Ford had been shot while in the driveway.
KDPS said Ford was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
According to police, despite initial investigative efforts, the case went unsolved due to a "lack of substantial leads."
KDPS said detectives continued to work on the case and recently identified Reed as a suspect.
He's currently incarcerated at the Michigan Department of Corrections facility in Jackson for an unrelated 2018 assault with intent and felony firearm case in Kent County.
On Friday, in connection with Ford's death, Reed was charged with open murder, two counts of felony firearms, possession of a weapon by a felon, and carrying a concealed weapon.
Reed was also denied bond.
“We are grateful to have reached this stage in the investigation, and we hope that these charges will bring some sense of justice and peace to Marcus Ford’s family,” said Captain Danielle Guilds. “This case underscores our department’s commitment to never giving up on seeking justice for victims, no matter how long it takes.”
Anyone with further information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at (269) 337-8139.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at (269) 343-2100, via the "P3Tips" app, or online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.
