The Fruitport Township Police Department has confirmed four people were shot and two struck by cars following a post-prom gathering May 9 at the VFW off Airline Highway.
According to a release from police issued around 3 p.m. May 10, deputies responded to the VFW after reports indicated a “subject had been struck by a vehicle in the roadway.” While enroute, officers learned there’d also been a shooting at the location.
The release indicates multiple shooters, but doesn’t indicate whether any of those shooters are in custody. All four shooting victims were taken to Trinity Health Hospital in Muskegon and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. One of the individuals struck in the roadway was seriously injured.
Police confirmed the event was a “post-prom party,” and said an active investigation is underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Bryan Rypstra or Deputy Police Chief Greg Poulson at 231-865-8477.
What happened at the VFW in Fruitport Township on May 9?
Lisa Bosworth, a resident near the VFW, told MLive she was awoken around 11:30 p.m. by the sound of gunfire. She saw teenagers in formal attire running through her yard, attempting to reach their vehicles for safety.
Muskegon Public Schools confirmed in a release around 3:30 p.m. May 10 that some students of the district were in attendance, “as well as other students and adults from neighboring areas.”
“The district is cooperating with local law enforcement as they work to gather accurate information regarding the events that led to the incident,” wrote Superintendent Matthew T. Cortez. “We also want to clearly communicate that there were no issues or disruptions during (our school’s) prom or prom show off events. Both school-sponsored events were safe, well-attended and positive celebrations for the Class of 2026.”
Cortez wrote the district will have crisis response team members available to speak to students.
Less than an hour before the incident, about two hours south of Fruitport Township, a second community was rattled by a shooting during a post-prom gathering May 9 — this one in Pine Township, Indiana. According to reporting from NBC Chicago, at least one teen was killed and two others were injured.
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