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One person in custody connected to Battle Creek gas station killing

Posted at 10:03 AM, Jul 23, 2014
and last updated 2014-07-23 10:38:42-04

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — One person was taken into custody Wednesday morning, connected to the killing of a woman at a gas station in the Level Park neighborhood of Battle Creek.

Investigators told FOX 17 News they arrested Shawn Pike, 30.  A second person was detained, said police when they were tracked down at a location on Territorial Road south of the crime scene.

Nicole Gates, 27, murder victim

Nicole Gates, 27, murder victim

The homicide was reported at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Citgo gas station along M-89 at West Michigan and Hussey Avenues, just west of downtown Battle Creek.

Investigators believe the motive was robbery.

Police identified the victim as 27-year-old Nicole Gates.  According to her Facebook page, she is a mother and a new clerk at the Citgo.

Police told FOX 17 News that Gates and Pike are acquaintances, but would not elaborate on their connection.

Shawn Pike, photo from Michigan Sex Offender Registry

Shawn Pike, photo from Michigan Sex Offender Registry

According the Michigan State Police records, Pike has a criminal history.  In April 2001, he was convicted in Calhoun County

with a felony of fleeing a police officer in the fourth degree; September 2002, also in Calhoun County, he was convicted of criminal sexual conduct – assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.

Police said the the case was related to a search of a Amtrak train that happened at around 9:30 a.m. as investigators were looking for the suspects.

Courtesy: Kevin Gehl Twitter

Courtesy: Kevin Gehl Twitter

If you have any information, you are asked to call Battle Creek Police at 269-966-3322 or Silent Observer at 269-964-3888.