GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – In a move toward community safety, a Benton Harbor resident receives a prison sentence for a firearm violation.
Shamonte Demorquez Buchanan, 26, has been sentenced to 71 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentencing was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, as announced by U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.
The charges stemmed from Buchanan’s involvement in a July 9, 2023, shootout at River Terrace Apartments in Benton Harbor, where gunfire damaged a nearby apartment, endangering adults and a young child inside. Caught on surveillance, Buchanan was seen discharging 13 rounds from a firearm equipped with an extended magazine before being shot and dropping the weapon. His prior felony convictions made his firearm possession illegal under federal law.
U.S. Attorney Totten emphasized the importance of prosecuting individuals responsible for community violence to ensure the safety of Benton Harbor residents. This case highlights collaborative efforts between state, federal, and local agencies, including the Michigan State Police and the FBI, to address violent crime and illegal firearms possession.