In the small town of West Branch, Michigan, the life of 23-year-old Brett L. Ritter, a White/Caucasian male, was cut tragically short on the night of November 15, 2014. A recent graduate of Kirtland Community College as a Certified Master Mechanic, Brett was known for his love of life and his willingness to always lend a hand to others. He was an avid enthusiast of the outdoors, enjoying everything from football and wrestling to motorcycles and trail riding.
His evenings were often spent with friends, and on that fateful November night, he found himself outside a local establishment called Loggers Depot.
The series of events that would end in his untimely death began with an altercation involving his brother. Patrick Alan Sourander, a 34-year-old from Prudenville with a criminal record, intervened in the dispute. In the ensuing chaos, Brett pushed Sourander. This action prompted Sourander to draw a handgun. As the struggle continued, the firearm discharged, and Brett was fatally wounded. He was rushed to the West Branch Regional Medical Center but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Patrick Alan Sourander was arrested and faced the full weight of the law for his actions. Initially, the justice system seemed to deliver a severe penalty, as he was convicted of second-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, felonious assault, and two counts of felony-firearm. This conviction, however, would not be the final chapter in the legal saga. Upon appeal, the second-degree murder conviction was overturned. Instead, Sourander was found guilty of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter.
For this conviction, Patrick Alan Sourander was sentenced to a term of 25 to 50 years in prison, in addition to sentences for the other related charges. The legal complexities of the case, which saw a murder conviction reduced to manslaughter, left a lasting impact on the community and all those who knew and loved Brett Ritter. His death served as a somber reminder of how quickly a conflict can escalate to a point of no return, leaving a void in the lives of his family and friends.
