KENTWOOD, Mich. – Acting on tips from the community, Kentwood Police dressed in full body armor entered a home looking for Javonte Higgins.
Higgins is a person of interest in the double homicide of David and Vivian Bouwman, who were found shot to death in their home a few blocks away from Vicksburg Court.
The address, 2389 Vicksburg Court SE, is close to 52nd Street and Stauffer Avenue SE, which was blocked off by police as they conducted the search.
It was an unusual sight for Paul Kabban who lives just across the street from the action. “You move here because it’s a safe neighborhood,” said Kabban. “But to see that stuff go in a safe neighborhood kind of makes you wonder where to go next.”
Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen said a series of tips led them to search the house for Higgins, 22.
Higgins is wanted for an unrelated home invasion and car theft in the area, Hillen said.
Kentwood police released a sketch Thursday morning of another person of interest in the case. They say now there are two people being sought.
“The tips keep coming in,” said Chief Hillen. “We’re saying there is probably more than one person involved here. I don’t believe this person (Higgins) is the person in the sketch.”
Police said they got in contact with the relatives of Higgins living at the Vicksburg Court home who are cooperating with the investigation.
After determining no one was inside the house, police worked fast to secure any evidence they could, including “anything that may attribute them to the crime, whether that is a handgun or any type of evidence that would tie them to this incident,” said Hillen.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345. Information leading to an arrest can be worth up $2,500 in reward.
