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Woman dies of medical condition during unrelated shooting investigation

The woman, who was in her early 60s, died just after 4 a.m. Thursday.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Just after police learned that a gunshot victim had arrived at the hospital in critical condition Thursday, a Grand Rapids resident near where the shooting occurred told police his family member needed immediate help. Neighbors say police failed to act in a timely manner, while police say their ability to provide aid was inhibited by a crowd of people on scene and a man with a handgun. 

At 2:13 a.m., police were dispatched to the 1600 block of Francis Avenue SE on reports of shots fired, according to Grand Rapids Police. Several minutes later police say they learned that a 19-year-old had been shot in the back and driven to Mercy Health Saint Mary's. A short time later, neighbors said a man ran out of his house calling on the police to help his family member who was having a heart attack. 

Sgt. John Wittkowski said officers did not approach the home because they'd seen a man with a handgun, which family and neighbors say was not the case. Wittowski said that officers were also unable to help the woman because of an "unruly" crowd. However, neighbors say that the crowd only grew and became agitated once they realized police were not helping the woman in need. 

Police asked residents of the home to exit via a PA system, according to police and neighbor accounts, and crews from the Kent County Sheriff's Office and other area jurisdictions were called in for backup.

Neighbors say multiple family members of the woman suffering a heart attack were placed in the back of cop cars.

It was 3:55 a.m. when officers entered the home, and the woman was pronounced dead in an ambulance just after 4 a.m., per GRPD. 

Watch the full media briefing here.

Grand Rapids Police conducted a search warrant of the home where the woman died. Neighbors on scene said the shooting and the woman's death were unrelated. Police said they searched the home in connection to the shooting. 

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