In the late afternoon of July 31, 2019, the sounds of gunfire shattered the quiet of a Benton Harbor neighborhood, leaving a young man dead and a community in shock. Arsenio Jordan, a 29-year-old male, was fatally shot on Superior Street near Clay Street. When police arrived around 4:30 p.m., they found Jordan had already succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A second victim, a 32-year-old woman named Kiyeasha Jordan, was also found with gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led authorities to identify several individuals of interest. An intense, nine-day search for the suspects ensued. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, along with the Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff's Department, located and arrested brothers Eric Holbrook, 21, and Dennis Holbrook, 24. A 43-year-old woman was also taken into custody in connection with the incident, though her name was withheld pending arraignment. Another man, Dondrell Blackamore Jr., who was considered a person of interest, was also located and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Following their arrests, Eric and Dennis Holbrook faced serious charges for their roles in the violent altercation. Both brothers were formally charged with open murder for the death of Arsenio Jordan and assault with intent to murder for the injuries sustained by Kiyeasha Jordan, in addition to felony firearm charges. During their arraignment, a judge entered not guilty pleas on their behalf and denied bond, keeping them in custody as the legal process moved forward.
Ultimately, the case against the Holbrook brothers concluded with a conviction, but on lesser charges. In March 2020, both Dennis and Eric Holbrook were sentenced for voluntary manslaughter in the death of Arsenio Jordan. Each brother received a prison sentence of 11 and a half to 15 years. They were also ordered to serve a consecutive two-year term for the firearm charges, ensuring they would be held accountable for the tragic loss of life that day on Superior Street.
