In the early hours of May 28, 2025, the life of Michael Richard Powers, a 42-year-old man from the Kalamazoo, Michigan area, was tragically cut short. An outgoing and kind-hearted individual, he was known for his willingness to help others and his love for spending time with family and friends, often enjoying football and baseball.
The fatal incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Riverview Drive and East Paterson Street in Kalamazoo.
Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety were alerted to a possible shooting when a citizen flagged them down, and multiple 911 calls also reported a gunfire incident in the area. Upon their arrival, they discovered Michael Richard Powers with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and abdomen.
Emergency medical personnel administered CPR at the scene before transporting him to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 3:16 a.m. Investigators recovered shell casings from the area.
An investigation into the shooting led to the identification of a suspect, 28-year-old Anthony Shawn-Tyrone Thomas. He was arrested on June 1 and arraigned the following day on multiple charges, including open murder, two counts of felony firearm, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and carrying a concealed weapon. Thomas was denied bond and remains in custody at the Kalamazoo County Jail awaiting further court proceedings. A motive for the shooting has not been released by detectives.
