GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department has identified Montaness Lowe, 31, as the victim in the city’s first fatal shooting of the year.
The shooting occurred early Friday morning, around 1:30 a.m., outside Billy’s Lounge on Wealthy Street SE near Giddings Avenue SE, police said. Multiple people were reportedly outside the establishment at the time.
According to Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom, the incident may have started inside the bar before escalating outside where the shooting took place. Lowe was transported to the hospital but died roughly an hour later. The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Chief Winstrom noted that the shooting coincides with a period when gun violence typically increases. “We have a lot of beautiful weather ahead of us this summer, and statistically speaking, that’s when we see more calls for violence, more individuals using handguns to commit crimes,” he said, adding the department must remain vigilant.
While the first deadly shooting of 2025 took place five months into the year—a notably longer stretch without such violence compared to recent years—Winstrom expressed concern about the incident’s impact on the city. “We were hoping to go the entire year, but it’s certainly a lot longer than most years past. This was a very peaceful time in the city, and we were making a lot of progress, so this is pretty devastating for us to know that we still have a lot of work to do,” he said.
As the investigation continues, police have not released any information about possible suspects. Chief Winstrom emphasized that Lowe was not believed to be armed or involved in criminal activity at the time of the shooting.
“This is an absolute tragedy for the family,” Winstrom said. “Our hearts go out to them. We are working hard to find answers and deliver justice.”
