MUSKEGON, Mich. — A quiet Saturday afternoon was shattered by gunfire in a Muskegon neighborhood, leading to a tragic loss of life that has left the community reeling. Authorities have now released the names of the deceased, confirming the Victims Killed in Muskegon Shooting Identified as Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May. The shooting, which took place inside a residence, also left three other individuals injured, including a young child, sparking a massive police manhunt for a suspect who remains at large.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, near the intersection of Jackson Avenue and McLaren Street. As investigators comb through evidence and the community mourns, the focus remains on bringing justice to the families of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May.

Breaking Details: Victims Killed in Muskegon Shooting Identified as Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

The Muskegon Police Department responded rapidly to multiple reports of shots fired at a home on the 600 block of Jackson Avenue. Upon arrival, officers were met with a chaotic and devastating scene. Inside the residence, they discovered five victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Sadly, Josh Fondren Jr, a 25-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The second fatal victim, 22-year-old Cori Marie May Watts (identified as Cori May), was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, she later succumbed to her wounds.

The confirmation that the Victims Killed in Muskegon Shooting Identified as Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May were young adults has sent shockwaves through the city. Friends and family are now grappling with the sudden and violent loss of two lives that were just beginning.

The Injured: Beyond Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

While the narrative rightfully focuses on the deceased, the violence of Saturday afternoon claimed other casualties as well. Alongside Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May, three other individuals were struck by gunfire.

Two 25-year-old men, whose identities have not yet been released to the public, were rushed to a local hospital. As of Saturday evening, medical staff listed them in critical condition. Their fight for survival continues as police wait for them to stabilize, hoping they may be able to provide crucial details about the shooter.

Perhaps most heart-wrenching is the involvement of a child. A 4-year-old was also injured during the barrage of gunfire. In a stroke of miraculous fortune amidst the tragedy where Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May lost their lives, the child’s injuries were determined to be minor. Police reported that the child was expected to be treated and released from the hospital, though the psychological trauma of witnessing such an event is immeasurable.

Police Investigation into the Deaths of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal has been at the forefront of the dissemination of information regarding this case. Following the identification of the Victims Killed in Muskegon Shooting Identified as Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May, Chief Kozal provided critical updates regarding the suspect.

According to police reports, the shooter fled the scene immediately after the incident and was gone before officers could arrive. As of the latest update on Sunday morning, no arrests have been made. However, Chief Kozal was careful to address public safety concerns.

“This does not appear to be a random act,” Kozal stated.

This distinction is vital for the community’s peace of mind. By characterizing the shooting as a targeted incident rather than a random spree, authorities suggest that the victims—specifically Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May—or the location itself were chosen by the assailant. While this implies there is no immediate threat to the broader public, it does suggest a level of premeditation or specific conflict that escalated to lethal violence.

Timeline of the Tragedy Involving Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

To understand how the events unfolded, it is necessary to look at the timeline established by dispatch records and witness statements.

• 3:15 PM: First calls come in to 911 reporting gunfire at a residence near Jackson Avenue and McLaren Street.

• 3:20 PM: Muskegon Police and emergency medical services arrive on the scene. They find five victims.

• 3:30 PM: The area is cordoned off as a crime scene. Josh Fondren Jr is pronounced dead at the location.

• 4:00 PM: Cori May and the other injured victims arrive at the hospital.

• Evening Update: Police confirm Cori May has died from her injuries. The manhunt for the suspect intensifies.

The daylight nature of the crime—occurring mid-afternoon on a weekend—highlights the brazenness of the attack. Residents in the area were likely home or active in the neighborhood, making the violence that claimed Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May all the more disturbing.

Mayor Ken Johnson Responds to the Deaths of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

The incident has drawn a sharp response from city leadership. Muskegon Mayor Ken Johnson issued a statement late Saturday night, addressing not only the deaths of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May, but the broader context of violence that has plagued the city this week.

“Our community has been shaken by tragedies this week,” Mayor Johnson said. He linked the Saturday shooting to another violent event that occurred just days prior. On Monday, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Stewart was murdered in his home on Jiroch Street.

For the Mayor, the loss of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May is part of a troubling pattern of “apparent murder” and mass shooting events that threaten the fabric of Muskegon.

“Saturday’s mass shooting in a home in the 600 block of Jackson Avenue is a heavy blow,” Johnson continued. He called for unity in the face of this adversity, urging neighbors to support one another as they process the grief of losing community members like Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May.

Community Reaction to the Loss of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

The neighborhood surrounding Jackson Avenue is currently in a state of shock. Vigils and memorials are expected to form in the coming days as the reality of the loss sets in. Social media has already begun to see an outpouring of condolences for the families of the Victims Killed in Muskegon Shooting Identified as Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May.

Community leaders are echoing the Mayor’s call for information. In cases where the suspect flees, police rely heavily on tips from the public. Someone likely saw a vehicle speeding away or noticed suspicious activity near the home prior to 3:15 p.m.

“We need justice for Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May,” posted one resident on a local community forum. “People can’t just come into our homes and do this.”

The “Targeted” Nature of the Crime

Investigators are currently working to establish a motive. Because Chief Kozal indicated the shooting was not random, detectives will be looking into the backgrounds and connections of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May, as well as the other survivors.

Was this a domestic dispute? A robbery gone wrong? Or a continuation of a previous conflict? These are the questions homicide detectives are trying to answer. The fact that a child was present and injured adds an aggravating factor to the crime, which could lead to enhanced charges once the suspect is apprehended.

The classification of the crime as “targeted” does not lessen the tragedy for the families of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May; rather, it intensifies the need to find the specific individual responsible before they can harm anyone else involved in the dispute.

How You Can Help Solve the Case of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

The Muskegon Police Department has made it clear: they need the public’s help. Solving the murders of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May will likely require a tip from someone who knows the shooter or has information about the events leading up to Saturday afternoon.

Authorities have provided two primary avenues for sharing information:

1. Direct Line: You can call the Muskegon Police Department directly at 231-724-6750.

2. Anonymous Tips: For those who fear retaliation or wish to remain unknown, Silent Observer is available at 231-722-7463.

Every piece of information, no matter how small it seems, could be the key to finding the person who killed Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May.

Broader Implications of Gun Violence in Muskegon

The deaths of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May mark a dark week for Muskegon. With two major incidents involving firearms in less than seven days, residents are rightfully concerned about safety. Mayor Johnson’s statement highlights a city administration that is aware of the fear but also determined to pursue justice.

The term “mass shooting” was used by the Mayor to describe the event, a classification that fits given that five people were struck. These events require significant resources to investigate and leave a lasting scar on the neighborhood. The priority now is ensuring that the violence stops here and that the deaths of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May are met with a swift legal resolution.

Medical Updates on the Survivors

While the families of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May plan funerals, the families of the two critical survivors are holding vigils at the hospital. The condition of the two 25-year-old men is stable but critical. Their recovery is pivotal not just for their own lives, but for the investigation. As surviving witnesses, they may hold the identity of the shooter.

The 4-year-old child, physically recovering from minor injuries, will require long-term support. The trauma of witnessing the deaths of Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May is a burden no child should have to carry. Child protective services and victim advocacy groups are likely involved to ensure the child’s welfare moving forward.

Conclusion: Justice for Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May

As the sun rose on Sunday, the police tape may have come down, but the investigation is firing on all cylinders. The Victims Killed in Muskegon Shooting Identified as Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May have become the latest names on a list of lives taken too soon by gun violence.

The Muskegon Police Department, led by Chief Kozal, and the city administration, led by Mayor Johnson, are united in their message: the suspect will be found. The community is asked to remain vigilant, to hold the victims in their prayers, and to speak up if they know anything.

For now, the city mourns. We remember the names: Josh Fondren Jr and Cori May. We hope for the recovery of the injured. And we wait for the news that the person responsible is behind bars.

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Summary of Key Facts:

• Deceased Victims: Josh Fondren Jr (25) and Cori May (22).

• Injured: Two men (25, Critical), One child (4, Minor injuries).

• Location: 600 block of Jackson Avenue, Muskegon, MI.

• Time: Saturday, Dec 7, approx. 3:15 PM.

• Suspect: At large; considered armed and dangerous.

• Motive: Believed to be targeted, not random.

• Contact: Muskegon Police or Silent Observer.