Robert Ceil Morgan Jr., a 44-year-old man, died on August 12, 2018, following a shooting in Grattan Township, near Grand Rapids, Michigan. The incident that led to his death began with a dispute over a loud party and reckless driving.
The events unfolded in the early morning hours when an argument escalated into a physical altercation. Morgan, who had been hosting a party on a nearby property he owned, was accused of driving his Jeep on the lawn of his neighbor, Jamie Fredericks, and
acting belligerently. Witnesses reported that Morgan, who was intoxicated, had made threats toward Fredericks and his wife.
Fredericks was awakened by his wife, who informed him of the Jeep on their lawn and the threats being made by a group of people outside. After Fredericks went outside and was also threatened, he retrieved a gun. The confrontation moved from Fredericks' front porch into his house, where a physical struggle ensued. During the scuffle, while Morgan had Fredericks in a headlock and was attempting to take his gun, Fredericks fired a single shot.
The bullet struck Morgan in the stomach and also injured his 22-year-old nephew who was with him. Both men were transported to a hospital, where Robert Morgan later died from his injuries.
The Kent County Sheriff's Department investigated the shooting, and the case was reviewed by the Kent County Prosecutor's Office. The prosecutor, Chris Becker, concluded that Jamie Fredericks was justified in using deadly force, stating that Fredericks faced a 'sudden, fierce and violent attack' and had no further duty to retreat once inside his own home. As a result, no charges were filed against Fredericks in connection with the death of Robert Morgan.
