DOWAGIAC — A 20-year-old Dowagiac resident was arrested Wednesday for allegedly chasing someone through the Vineyard Place Apartments with a weapon, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.

Dowagiac Police were dispatched to Vineyard Place Apartments at 12:16 p.m. 

Officers were advised that several people had called 911 stating that a subject was running with a gun and possibly chasing someone.  Officers arrived and spoke with witnesses and observed a male subject matching the description of the possible suspect. 

Witnesses also reported to police that the subject was driving in a reckless manner through the apartment complex when he arrived there.

Officers detained the suspect and were advised by witnesses that he was positively identified as the subject with the gun. 

Upon investigating further, officers learned that the suspect was at the complex because he had learned about an earlier domestic altercation between two other people. The suspect came to the complex to confront one of the parties. It was reported to police that he produced a gun and chased after one subject. 

Officers recovered a pellet handgun which looked like a real handgun. Police also recovered a rifle that the suspect brought to the scene.   

Due to the close proximity to the Dowagiac Middle School, Dowagiac Police requested that the school be placed on soft lockdown until the suspect was located.  The school was placed into soft lockdown for approximately 30 minutes Wednesday afternoon and was released upon apprehension of the suspect and weapons.  At no time did the suspect approach or go anywhere near the school, police said. Dowagiac police are also investigating the original domestic altercation that occurred at the beginning of this incident.    

Officers arrested the suspect, a 20-year-old Dowagiac resident, and lodged him at the Cass County Jail for felonious assault, brandishing a firearm, reckless driving, and driving with no operator’s license. 

The suspect’s name is being withheld pending his arraignment in Cass County 4th District Court.  Dowagiac police were assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Pokagon Tribal Police Department. 

This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Dowagiac Police Department at (269) 782-9743, or the Cass County Tip Line at (800) 462-9328.