UPDATED: 9-26-18

Deputy Brandon Crosby stopped a vehicle on M-140 near Napier Avenue at approximately 7:56 PM. Upon further investigation the back seat passenger was identified at Justing Bashore. Bashore was arrested and lodged at the Berrien County Jail without incident for the following warrants:

1) False Reporting – Felony Berrien County Sheriff’s Office
2) Resisting & Obstructing – Felony Eau Claire Police Department
3) Friend of the Court Berrien County FOC
4) A&B Domestic Violence Dowagiac Police Department
5) Friend of the Court Cass County FOC

UPDATED: 9-25-18
The investigation of this incident has led to a report being submitted to the Berrien County Prosecutors Office and the charge of False Reporting of a Felony being authorized against the following individual.

  • Justin Alen Bashore
  • W/M, 32 years of age
  • Last known address in Niles MI 49120

There is evidence to believe that Justin Bashore placed the call to the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center stating that a male subject was in the school with a rifle. This was false and law enforcement is attempting to locate him at this time.
If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of this individual they are asked to call (269) 983-3060.
The charge is merely and accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 

( September 7th)  This afternoon at approximately 3:55 PM the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call from a male subject stating that there was a teenage male in the bathroom of the Eau Claire High School with a rifle.  The caller did not identify himself and stated that his phone was losing power.

Police Officers from the surrounding area responded to the possible armed subject in the school and a search of the building was conducted.  At the completion of the search it was found that there was not anyone in the building with a firearm and no one was injured.  Students and staff were escorted out of the building so that parents were able to make contact with their children.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police are assisting the Eau Claire Police Department with attempting to identify the unknown caller.  Anyone with information as to the identity of the caller is asked to call (269) 983-3060.

We are glad that this incident is not what was originally reported and are pleased at the cooperative response by all the agencies involved.  Officers responded as trained and law enforcement personnel appreciate the patience of the parents and other adults that were on scene waiting to be reunited with the students and staff that were in the school.