In the winter of 2020, the city of Muskegon was marked by its first homicide of the year with the death of 21-year-old DaMonte Neal. On the afternoon of January 6th, the young man, who was a new father and a 2017 graduate of Muskegon High School where he played on the football team, was found fatally shot. The incident occurred on Orchard Avenue, where Neal collapsed just inside the porch of a home after being shot in the back. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators at the home found multiple shell casings, indicating several shots had been fired.
The investigation into Neal's death quickly led police to a suspect. Key evidence in the case included a cell phone discovered near the crime scene, which was believed to belong to the shooter, and a 9mm handgun found in the garage of a nearby house. An ID card with the name Antwan Crawford was also found at the residence where the handgun was recovered. This evidence, combined with witness statements, pointed to Crawford, a 21-year-old acquaintance of Neal's, as the primary suspect.
Antwan Crawford was subsequently arrested and charged with open murder in connection with DaMonte Neal's death. During legal proceedings, there was contention over the admissibility of an alleged confession made by Crawford. Ultimately, in September 2021, Crawford pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of manslaughter and felony firearms. His sentencing was scheduled to follow the guilty plea.
