KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — Kalamazoo Public Safety (KDPS) has confirmed that the body they recovered from the Kalamazoo River on Feb. 20 is David Danjuan Williams, the 43-year-old man who fled from police into the river earlier this year.
On Jan. 1 a KDPS officer initiated a traffic stop on a motorcycle for a license plate violation. The driver, now identified as Williams, did not stop and instead fled from officers. Eventually, the motorcycle had mechanical issues and the officer was able to catch up. Williams then fled on foot through Veteran's Memorial Park and ran into the Kalamazoo River.
Officers watched the current push him downstream and witnessed him go under. Officers did not see Williams resurface. They entered the river to try to rescue him but could not find him.
His body was recovered on Feb. 20 when a report was made of a body in the water. Officials responded to recover the body. They suspected it was the man who had fled from officers but could not confirm his identity at the time.
KDPS wished to express their condolences to the friends and family of Williams.
They also asked that anyone with information call the Criminal Investigation Division at 269-337-8139 to speak with a detective. Information can also be provided anonymously through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at KalamazooSilentObserver.com.
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