A Battle Creek man has been sentenced to 45 days in jail in connection to a shooting incident that happened two years ago.
According to court documents, 45-year-old Derek Mefferd was originally charged with Attempted Murder, but entered an Alford Plea to three charges including Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury. Two five-year prison sentences were suspended. The 45-day prison sentence was issued for Reckless Use of a Firearm.
During the early evening of March 20th, 2022, Mefferd allegedly fired a handgun several times at a man identified as Darin Fritz at a Battle Creek residence. The men were reportedly fighting over a woman. At one point, Fritz was allegedly beating up Mefferd, when the woman pulled Fritz into a hall. Soon after that, Mefferd allegedly appeared in a room with a handgun and threatened Fritz. At one point, Mefferd fired at least one round into a wall in the upstairs area of the residence. The fighting continued downstairs, where Fritz was reportedly struck in the lower right leg with a gunshot. Mefferd allegedly fired at least four times into the floor around Fritz, and Fritz was also reportedly struck on the left side of the head with the pistol.
Authorities arrived at the residence around 6:15 that evening and found Fritz in the front yard. Mefferd surrendered to authorities after a five-hour standoff.
