Dave & Buster's Security Guard Shoots Armed Teen Outside Michigan Restaurant

A 22-year-old security guard working at Dave & Buster's shot and wounded a 17-year-old outside the restaurant on 28th Street SE in Kentwood, Michigan, just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday after the teen drew a gun and pointed it at several people during a parking lot confrontation.

Kentwood Police Captain Tim Wierenga said the trouble began as a fight that spilled outside. "It sounds like there was a fight that broke out into the front parking lot area," Wierenga told WOOD Radio News. "During our investigation, we did conclude that a 17-year-old was shot by a 22-year-old male who was employed as a security guard at Dave & Buster's."

Security footage reviewed by investigators showed the 17-year-old pulling a gun and pointing it at several people. The 22-year-old drew his own pistol and fired at the teen. Some witnesses reported hearing about five gunshots, though police have not confirmed that number; investigators did recover shell casings at the scene at 3660 28th St. SE, near Lake Eastbrook Boulevard.

The 17-year-old remained in the Intensive Care Unit at an area hospital as of Monday. The security guard was interviewed by investigators and later released from custody; police say he is cooperating with the investigation. No charges against him had been announced as of Monday. A separate 28-year-old man was arrested and booked into jail on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. No names were released in connection with any of the three individuals.

Dave & Buster's issued a statement Monday stressing that the Kentwood location remained open. "Our priority is always the safety of our guests and team members, and our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the incident Saturday evening outside our Kentwood location," the company said. "The location is currently open and operating while we continue to work with law enforcement as their investigation continues. Our focus remains on providing a safe, welcoming environment for our guests."

Key questions remain unanswered: whether the 22-year-old will face criminal charges, what prompted the original altercation, and what role if any the 28-year-old arrested on the concealed-weapon charge played in the confrontation. Anyone with information can contact the Kentwood Police Department at 616-656-6580 or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org.