Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker offered the following statement in response to Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert’s confirmation that he will not pursue charges against the shooter in a Thanksgiving 2021 incident at the Cricket Club:
“I respect the work of our prosecutor, and the effort his team placed into this complicated case,” Blocker said. “Out of respect for the family, others involved in the incident, and our greater community, I have requested the Michigan Attorney General’s Office review this case and its findings.
“All files, reports, and our staff will be available to support a second look at the case, if the state Attorney General grants it.”
On Wednesday, Blocker will submit the information to Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark.
Xavier West, 29, was shot in the chest just after midnight Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25, 2021, after a physical fight between Cricket Club patrons and security staff. He died from his injuries at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
In December, Battle Creek Police submitted a case to the Prosecutor’s Office against the man who shot West, a Cricket Club employee who worked security that night, and was armed with a hand gun.
BCPD will not make any additional comments, as the case remains active with the request to the Attorney General’s Office.