In the late hours of a Thursday night in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the life of 21-year-old Marktavion Perry-Bennett was tragically cut short. On April 24, 2025, officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of N Park Street around 10:50 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Perry-Bennett suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led detectives to identify a suspect, 19-year-old Lamone Demetrius Hickman Jr. In a coordinated effort with the Muskegon Police Department and Michigan State Police, Hickman was located and taken into custody the following day at a residence in Muskegon, a city roughly 90 miles northwest of Kalamazoo. The swiftness of the arrest was a result of dedicated police work throughout the night.
Hickman was subsequently charged with open murder, felony firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon in connection with Perry-Bennett's death. During his arraignment, a judge denied him bond. While authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooting, the investigation remains ongoing. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has extended its condolences to Perry-Bennett's family and all those impacted by this violent act.
