Court Releases Statement On South Haven Incident

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A statement has been released by Van Buren County Chief Judge Kathleen Brickley on the case of South Haven pier shooter Aiden Ingalls. Police said this week Ingalls was just released from probation a month ago after he was caught making threats to shoot up Paw Paw High School at the age of 15 in 2018. He was sentenced as a juvenile in the case. Judge Brickley writes the “justice system is a constant balancing act – balancing our rights and liberties as individuals with the safety and security of the public. We have our state and federal constitutions, statutes, court rules, and processes designed to find that balance and to protect both interests.” She continues, “Those processes always work better when the different players in the justice system work together. In this case, after much deliberation, there was agreement by the elected prosecutor at the time that the chosen path forward was the right one, and there was no appeal of the court’s decision.” She closes by writing, “Today we all mourn a tragedy, offer our condolences to the affected families, and should come together as a community to make sure that we all support and help those in need.”

The full release from the court issued Tuesday is below:

“Our justice system is a constant balancing act – balancing our rights and liberties as individuals with the safety and security of the public. We have our state and federal constitutions, statutes, court rules, and processes designed to find that balance and to protect
both interests.

Those processes always work better when the different players in the justice system work together. In this case, after much deliberation, there was agreement by the elected prosecutor at the time that the chosen path forward was the right one, and there was no appeal of the court’s decision.

Today, we all mourn a tragedy, offer our condolences to the affected families, and should come together as a community to make sure that we all support and help those in need.”

Chief Judge Kathleen Brickley

In regards to the handling of the 2018 case, please see the below timeline that describes the court process that preceded the events on 08/20/2021:

1) On 3/29/2018 Mr. Ingalls was charged with Explosives- Vulnerable Target, Explosives, Possession of Bombs with Unlawful Intent, 2 counts of Larceny of a Firearm, 2 counts of Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun/Rifle, and 4 counts of Felony Firearms possession while committing or attempting to commit a felony.

2) The Van Buren County prosecutor requested a hearing to determine if the minor could be tried as an adult. A Designation Hearing was held on 5/2/2018 where the court ruled that the minor be tried as a juvenile. No party appealed the court’s decision.

3) On 5/11/2018 Mr. Ingalls admitted responsibility to Explosives- Vulnerable Target and 1 count of Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun/Rifle with the agreement of the prosecutor and his attorney. The plea of admission was entered in the juvenile court.

4) Mr. Ingalls was in a juvenile detention facility from 3/18/2018-6/6/2018.

5) Mr. Ingalls was in a juvenile residential placement facility for treatment from 6/6/2018-11/4/2019.

6) Mr. Ingalls was placed in relative foster care on 11/4/2019 under the supervision of DHHS and intensive probation.

7) Mr. Ingalls was monitored by an electronic tether from 11/4/2019-5/26/2020.

8) Mr. Ingalls received supportive community-based services including wraparound services during his time under court jurisdiction.

9) Mr. Ingalls’ progress was reviewed regularly by the court. During his time under court supervision, he had no probation violations and he completed all court requirements.

10) Mr. Ingalls’ court case was closed on 7/20/2021, as he had completed treatment and all probation requirements, and because he was about to attain the maximum age of jurisdiction (19 years old) for a juvenile.

11) Mr. Ingalls was receiving community-based mental health services at the time of his court case closure.