UPDATE: Police identify suspect and victim in Benton Township shooting
A confrontation over a dog.
That's what police say sparked a shooting that killed a man Friday morning.
Police say 30-year-old Roy Thompson now faces murder and a variety of firearm charges for killing 53-year-old David Krieger.
Officers arrived around 9:00 a.m. after getting a call that shots were fired at the 1500 block near Michiana Supply, a hydraulic repair shop for large machinery.
"He [Krieger] saw a black male kicking a dog, and what we were told was that Mr. Krieger told him to stop kicking the dog and the suspect pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest," Sheriff Paul Bailey said.
People we spoke with say the Krieger family is hard-working and have been in business for nearly 40 years.
Neighbors say they are shocked and saddened to hear the news.
"This is a nice community," said Don Hutchinson. "It's like, these things don't happen every day."
Hutchison has lived on Milton Avenue for three years and says the neighborhood is fairly quiet. "We were kind of surprised, to wake up this morning and see all of the action," Hutchison said.
A sense of sadness that has left many in this neighborhood wondering, "Why?"
Very unfortunate, we keep the Krieger family in our prayers. It's very sad, especially this time of year or any time something like this happens. It's just very sad," said Sheriff Bailey.
Thompson remains in custody at the Berrien County Sheriff's Department on four separate preliminary charges including, open murder, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.
Stay with WSBT 22 online and on the air for updates.
