On a tragic day in Portage, Michigan, 31-year-old Brianna Angelique Bates was killed in a devastating act of domestic violence. On August 30, 2022, Brianna and her 6-year-old daughter, Zenzia, were shot and killed by her husband, 39-year-old Henry Bates, who then took his own life. The couple's three other children, who were 13, 11, and three years old at the time, were able to flee their home and escape the violence.
Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and a barricaded gunman, which
prompted a significant police response to their apartment on Milham Avenue. The Kalamazoo Metro SWAT team was called in and attempted to make contact with anyone inside for two hours, but their efforts were met with silence. Upon entering the residence, law enforcement discovered the bodies of Brianna, Henry, and Zenzia.
An investigation into the incident revealed a history of domestic violence. Henry Bates had been arrested twice in the months leading up to the murder-suicide for allegedly assaulting his wife. In one instance, Brianna reported that he had thrown a phone at her and punched her in the face and shoulder. The following month, she accused him of punching her in the face again. Despite these incidents, the charges of domestic violence were dropped, though Henry had violated the conditions of his bond by drinking. Family members stated that Brianna had been trying to leave the relationship for over a year.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, family and friends remembered Brianna as a loving mother who was devoted to her children. Her mother described how Brianna 'lived and breathed for her children.' A friend recalled her as a very loving person who did everything she could for her kids. Zenzia, known affectionately as 'Boo,' was remembered as a happy child who had just started the first grade and was excited about school. As the perpetrator died by suicide, there were no arrests or trial in connection with the deaths of Brianna and Zenzia Bates.
