Men charged for truck shootout in Hartford neighborhood

HARTFORD, Mich. (WOOD) — Two men face felony gun charges after a shooting in Van Buren County Saturday afternoon.

The Van Buren Sheriff’s Office said around 1:35 Saturday afternoon, multiple 911 calls complained of people in two trucks shooting at each other .

Elias Ramirez, 18, and Justin Arellano, 21, were charged Monday with carrying a concealed weapon and shooting from a vehicle, according to the Van Buren Prosecutor’s Office.

One of the trucks crashed into a fence near the intersection of S. Haver Street and Lincoln Street in Hartford. One man ran away before coming back to the crash. The second stayed at the scene and spoke with police.

Home security camera video shows a yellow truck speeding by a house before shots ring out for several seconds.

Despite the multiple shots, police say no one was hurt.

“It’s very unusual in our community. Van Buren is a relatively quiet community overall,” said Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott.

Abbott said his deputies assisted Hartford Police with the call. With Ramirez facing felony gun charges at just 18 years old, Abbott called the case “disturbing.”

“Look at how many juveniles you are seeing with violent crimes. I mean, it’s not uncommon to see on the national news 11,12, 13, 14-year-old kids getting into shootings. it blows my mind,” he said.

The prosecutor’s office said Arellano is out on a $75,000 surety bond. Ramirez’s bond was reduced from $75,000 to $25,000.

Arellano and his parents declined to talk on camera, saying they are waiting to hear back from their lawyer. However, they tell News 8 this was a case of self-defense.

News 8 reached out to Ramirez’s attorney for comment but has yet to hear back.

Arellano is expected to have his next hearing on Aug. 23. Ramirez is expected to be back in court on Aug. 28.

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