Blog Archives

Shooting suspect dead — ‘The threat has been neutralized’

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Suspected shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, is dead, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “The threat has been neutralized,” said Sheriff Mast around 7 p.m. Sunday, confirming that Stapel is deceased. “The community is safe.” He could not provide any further details, because the case is being handled by the Michigan State Police. Law enforcement…

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Suspected gunman on the run in Mears had previous charges pending

August 17, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The suspected gunman on the loose in Mears, 59-year-old Don Albert Stapel Jr., has misdemeanor charges pending in Oceana County’s 79th District Court. Michigan State Police released an updated photo of Stapel, which is a booking mugshot. Stapel faces charges of larceny less than $200 and trespassing and is scheduled for a…

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Updated photo released of suspected gunman on the run in Mears

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Michigan State Police have released an updated photograph of the suspected gunman on the loose in the Silver Lake area. Law enforcement is on a manhunt for accused shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, Sunday, Aug. 17. Stapel was last known to be wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans, police said. MSP is asking residents in…

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Manhunt continues for suspected gunman

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Law enforcement is on an hours-long manhunt for accused shooter Don Albert Stapel, Jr., 59, in the Silver Lake community Sunday, Aug. 17. Michigan State Police are asking residents in the 7500 block of Fox Road in Mears to shelter in place as they search for Stapel in the woods. A person was shot in the leg,…

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Gunman on the loose in Silver Lake

August 17, 2025

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A person was shot in the leg Sunday, Aug. 17, and the gunman is on the loose in the Silver Lake community, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. The person who was shot was still alive as far as the sheriff knew as of 2 p.m. Sunday. Sheriff Mast declined confirming any other information, because the…

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