PORTAGE, Mich. — Three people, including a 6-year-old girl, were found dead in a Portage apartment in an apparent double homicide-suicide.
They have been identified as 39-year-old Henry Bates, 31-year-old Brianna Bates and their daughter, 6-year-old Zenzia Bates. Police say Henry and Brianna were married.
"There's no doubt that the male subject murdered his daughter and his wife and then ultimately killed himself," said Nick Armold, director of Portage Public Safety, "It's unfortunate."
Police say the incident happened around 9:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 4600 block of E Milham Avenue. Initial reports said an armed man was barricaded in an apartment.
When police arrived, they were met with three children outside the home, who said their 6-year-old sibling was inside with their father, who had shot their mother.
Responding officers established a perimeter and called the Kalamazoo Metro SWAT team to the area. The team attempted to negotiate with Henry for two hours and received no response. Their goal was to save the child.
After police used a drone and sent a robot inside, they went inside.
"Then we immediately made entry hoping to find the child," said Armold, "Ultimately, we found that she was deceased as well."
Police entered the apartment and found three people dead.
Three other children, ages 13, 11 and 3, were able to flee the apartment and were uninjured. They were placed with family members after the incident.
"It's really tough," said Armold, "I have a grandson who is four and a half, and to see that kind of stuff is painful, and it messes with your mind. And, you know, we realize what we're going through isn't as bad as what the family is going through. And hopefully they can get through this."
A family member 13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke with, named Melissa, called the incident, "still traumatic."
She said 6-year-old Zenzia was called "Boo" by those who loved her.
"She was great, oh my god," said Melissa, "She came to my house every single day. Every day. 'Aunt Melissa, can I have some snacks today? Can I have some popsicles? Can I have some muffins?' Every single day. She practically lived at my house when she was not inside of hers. It's very crappy that she's gone. Nothing can fix that."
Melissa said Henry had a history of domestic violence and mental illness.
"A lot of history of him going to centers for mental illnesses and stuff," said Melissa, "No help was ever really given. They tried it again, and he just kept coming back. And this is how it ended, I guess."
Henry Bates also had a history of arrests for violence. In 2010, he served time in prison, convicted of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and felony firearm.
"We had had contact with him before, but nothing that would lead us to think that anything like this would happen," said Armold.
Melissa said Brianna was a very loving person who cared for everybody. She loved her children more than anything and did everything she could for them.
"They were here, and they were loved," said Melissa, "They were always smiling and happy."
Police are now trying to figure out what led up to this tragedy.
"Our ultimate goal right now, knowing that these children are with their family and services have been offered to the family," said Armold, "is that we can at least find out enough to give them a little bit of closure as to what happened."
The victims were taken to the Kalamazoo County Medical Examiner's Office for examination.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Portage Department of Public Safety at 269-329-4567 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the surviving children financially. It can be found by clicking here.
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