GRPD: Man charged in deadly shootout

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Police say a suspect has been charged after a Grand Rapids man was killed during a September shootout.

Courvoisier Simmons, 30, faces eight charges, which include second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and felony firearm charges, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Police say Simmons was arraigned Monday. He was booked into the Kent County jail Saturday, online records show.

The charges stem from the Sept. 29, 2023, shootout that resulted in the death of 27-year-old Lavadis Crawford-Blackman.

Early that morning, two officers “saw an active gunfight in progress” in southeast Grand Rapids and exited their cruiser, according to GRPD. One officer returned fire, but police say it appeared the officer did not shoot anyone.

Two people were struck by gunfire during the shootout. One of them, Crawford-Blackman, died on scene, according to GRPD. His death was ruled a homicide. Police say another man was shot in the stomach.

Crawford-Blackman was remembered as a loving father of three.

“I hope this arrest brings comfort and closure to Mr. Crawford-Blackman’s family,” said GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom Tuesday in a statement. “Our detectives worked tirelessly on this investigation over these past eight months.”

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